[Assam] More on Never Cease to be Entertained

[Chan Mahanta]

The following in Today's Sentinel:

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Giving up arms a must for peace talks: Gogoi
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 29: In what could best be termed as setting a 
precondition for peace talks, Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today 
said the door of the Government is always open for militant groups 
that are interested in peace talks but the militant groups have to 
deposit their arms and shun violence first, and talks can be held 
only within the purview of the Constitution.
A meeting of the Unified Command Structure (UCS) was held today at 
Dispur with the Chief Minister as president. The meeting was 
attended, among others, by 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen BS Jaswal, Asom DGP RN 
Mathur, Principal Home Secretary Subash Das, IGP (law and order) 
Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta and other top police and Home Department 
officials. The meeting took a decision to continue Army operation in 
the State. The two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting reviewed the current 
law-and-order situation in NC Hills.
Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Gogoi said: "We are always 
ready for talks with any militant outfits of the State, but the talks 
should be held only within the purview of the Constitution. The peace 
process with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) derailed when 
the outfit remained adamant on its sovereignty demand. So we want to 
make it clear for all rebel groups of the State that peace talks can 
be held only within the framework of the Constitution."
When asked on the ceasefire offer of the DHD(J), Gogoi said: "We will 
reciprocate the offer if the rebel group gives up arms, shuns 
violence and comes forward for peace talks. The question of cessation 
of Army operation doesn't arise. Army operation was always there, and 
will continue."

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>On the statement aired by 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen BS Jaswal that there 
>should be a stringent law to bar >militants from joining their 
>respective outfits after their release from jails, Gogoi said: "The 
>Government >is concerned over the fact. We need to consider the 
>matter.



*** I can't believe this! Is this an unmitigated assembly of FOOLS or what?

cm