The banned United liberation Front of Asom has asked for a level playing field for talks with the government of India.
In the latest issue of its mouthpiece Freedom, released to the media through the internet, the militant group said that in order to facilitate a level playing field for talks, the government must shun its 'colonial attitude'.
The ULFA stated that the government must create an air of trust and show eagerness for talks where the issue of restoration of sovereignty of Assam can be discussed.
It must create proper atmosphere for talks by releasing the jailed central committee members of the outfit and provide information about the members of the ULFA who went missing since the operations in Bhutan in December 2003. 'The government must also stop spreading rumours against ULFA', the militant group said.
The ULFA pointed out that in the third round of talks with the People's Consultative Group, the Indian government assured the release the five of its jailed leaders and it was agreed that both the government and the ULFA would try to create a congenial atmosphere.
The ULFA alleged that 'the government announced a ceasefire on August 13 without honouring the commitment of releasing the jailed central committee members. Though the government extended the period of the ceasefire, the shelters of the ULFA members were attacked on September 2 in violation of what was agreed to during discussions with the PCG."
The militant group accused the Indian government of imposing baseless new conditions, which were never raised during talks with the PCG.
The ULFA said that the demand for a written assurance from the ULFA was one such fresh condition.
The militant outfit further said that the 'Indian occupational forces' were spreading rumours against the ULFA. 'The government is now claiming that after the release of its members in 1991, the ULFA backed away from talks. But this is not the truth', the ULFA said and then added that 'in 1991, India did not release ULFA members but opted for exchange of captives'.
After the exchange of the captives, the ULFA tried to start the process of talks, but India continued its barbaric acts against the members of the ULFA and several members including the outfit's then deputy chief of staff Hirokjyoti Mahanta were killed, the militant group claimed, adding that it was in no way involved in any anti-people activity as claimed by the Indian government.
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