The latest series of bomb blasts in Assam has virtually bombed the chances of the release of at least five leaders of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom from jails.
Rattled by the bombs, which were detonated by the militant group showing scant respect to the ongoing peace initiative, both the state government and Union government are now not game for release of the ULFA leaders as demanded by the group as a precondition for direct talks with the Centre, although the third round of preparatory negotiation between the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group and the government of India remains on schedule for June 22.
ULFA had demanded the release of its adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain, vice-president Pradip Gogoi, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and central executive member Ramu Mech from jail to enable the outfit to take a decision on direct talks with government of India.
It has now added one more name, that is of its recently arrested battalion commander Mrinal Hazarika, to the list.
An official source informed that the state government who had earlier stated that it would not object to release of the ULFA leaders from jail for the greater interests of the peace process, has now developed cold feet after the recent series of explosions that left eight dead and about 100 injured.
The blasts have created doubt in the minds of state government and government of India about the sincerity of the ULFA leadership to come over for direct talks with government of India.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told media, "Peace process and violent incidents cannot continue simultaneously. Such incidents will not be tolerated."
The army, engaged in counter-insurgency operation in the state, has been opposed to any soft measures like release of jailed ULFA leaders while Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Kumar Singh, who was in charge of counter-insurgency operation in the state in early 1990s in the capacity of the GOC 4 Corps based in Tezpur, had expressed his skepticism over the peace initiative of ULFA through nomination of the PCG.
In the wake of bomb blasts it is being widely believed by security forces that the peace initiative may be a ploy by the ULFA to buy time for regrouping.
The state police have already told the Union home ministry to adopt a clear-cut stand. It should be either peace talks and ceasefire or anti-ULFA operation in full steam.
Sensing that the tide was turning against its interests after the latest series of blasts, the chairman of the banned ULFA Arabinda Rajkhowa has stated in an e-mailed message that it was not the ULFA that used bombs to kill innocent civilians, but a 'third force' sponsored by the 'state' to derail the peace initiative aimed at finding a solution to 'Assam-India' conflicts.
However, there are few takers for Rajkhowa's statement at least among the security forces. State Police Inspector General (Special Branch) Khagen Sharma claimed that the police had information about the ULFA cadres involved in triggering blasts that killed and injured innocent civilians.
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