Continue talks with ULFA to counter Assam violence, say analysts

While experts differ on the measures to counter insurgency related violence, they are united and in favour of holding talks with the rebels.

By Aditya Shukla

Guwahati, Sep 3 : While experts differ on the measures to counter insurgency related violence, they are united and in favour of holding talks with the rebels.

Although, analysts agree that violence hampers the State's development, they put little onus on the Government for the present state of affairs.

Sanjib Baruah, a columnist and an academician, feels that the Centre needs to rethink the strategy towards the North East.

"If India is so security obsessed that it is not willing to rethink its policy towards the North East and think that countering insurgency is the answer, then I will put an equal burden on the Indian State."

Harekrishna Deka, a columnist, advocates a new strategy to deal with the ULFA's terror tactics.

He favours involvement of civil society in the peace process. Talks should be held, along with the community participation, he said.

Deka said: "They (militants) have taken the doctrine of violence as their methodology and violence leads to more violence, which they do not realise. Through this kind of violence they can't achieve what they have been looking for. And once they realise this, they will also realise that people do not support violence."

Sanjib Baruah, a columnist, said that talks with insurgents must continue.

"Of course there should be ceasefire. There should be negotiations. I don't think a strong State like India should worry about negotiations. What do we loose by it?" said Baruah.

Analysts believe that the system needs to tone up to accommodate new aspirations of the people.

Deka says, "I think democracy is still very strong here. Only that the discontent among the people has to be removed. There is no other alternative to Democracy."

In an opinion poll last year, over ninety percent people of the State rejected the demand for sovereignty, and the recent peace rally in the State is an indication to the masses' belief in the democratic process.

Centre recently gave its nod to the State Government for raising a 5,000-strong force of retired soldiers to fight against the ULFA.

Meanwhile, a fresh appeal has been made to the outlawed group to come forward for talks.

ANI