Centre-Assam peace talks may be hit

The All Assam Students Union, one of the Northeast's most influential outfits, has condemned the killing of cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom by the army and the police.

The Union said such action will nullify the prospects of lasting peace in the state.

AASU advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharyya expressed apprehension that such incidents will seriously jeopardise the ongoing peace initiative between the central government and the rebels.

The AASU has been maintaining that it is opposed to violence and killings.

The students' organisation that spearheaded the anti-foreigners movement in Assam between 1979 and 1985 and is still continuing its belligerence against illegal migration from across the border, has been rooting for a negotiated political solution to the ULFA problem.

Meanwhile, the central government hasn't budged from its stand that the banned ULFA must send a direct communication in black and white expressing its willingness to hold direct talks.

According to a source in the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group, the central government had made it clear to the Assamese litterateur Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami who has been acting as the vital link between the PCG and the government, that the militant organisation was free to demand the release of its central committee leaders from jail and place on record other related demands.

It was also made clear that the direct communication from ULFA must mention that the group is ready to sit at the negotiation table. 

Meanwhile, the PCG will meet in Guwahati on Saturday to discuss its future course of action.

The PCG had threatened to pull out of the peace process if the killings of ULFA cadres continued.