The Hindu : Talks with Bodos in crucial stage, says Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003

National

National

Talks with Bodos in crucial stage, says Advani

UTTAN (MAHARASHTRA) JAN. 6. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said that tripartite peace talks with Bodo insurgents in Assam had reached a crucial stage and something concrete might emerge soon.

He told reporters here that the Centre was willing to hold talks with separatist forces if they eschew the path of terrorism.

Mr. Advani said the NSCN (I-M) leaders would be reaching New Delhi on January 8 to hold talks for the first time in India.

``Even before we came to power, the Centre was holding talks with the NSCN (I-M) in European countries and Thailand but now they have agreed to come to New Delhi on January 8 to hold discussions with the Centre,'' he said.

He described the coming Nagaland elections as an important step in restoring peace in the north-eastern State.

He, however, refused to draw a parallel between the Government's talks with the separatist groups in Nagaland and Assam and the exercise in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

In an apparent reference to the Jammu and Kashmir's separatist conglomerate, the Hurriyat Conference, he said ``if somebody is talking to us as a spokesperson of Pakistan, then we are not ready for it.''

Recounting his talks with the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, he said the Mufti had stated that people of the Valley wanted peace, good governance and justice in socio-economic matters.

Good governance and socio-economic justice were the concern of the State Government but as far as security is concerned the Centre has an important role as peace in the border State was being disturbed by the neighbouring country.

The Home Minister said the Centre had made it clear to the Jammu and Kashmir Government that it should be consulted on security-related issues. — PTI

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