NLFT sets sovereignty of 'Twipra' as pre-condition for talks

AGARTALA, July 8 ? The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (Biswamohan group) has put forward pre-conditions for peace talks with the State government. The outfit said that it favoured a political solution to the militancy problem of the State but the ??dialogue should be on the question of sovereignty and independence of Twipra kingdom?. This if for the first time that the NLFT has come out with a specific and clear stand on the State government?s offer for peace negotiation. The NLFT in its recently published mouthpeice Yok said: ?The Government of India has always insisted that it has to be within the framework of Indian Constitution and the condition of sovereignty unnegotiable. The government of Twipra kingdom led by the NLFT do (sic) believe in political solution of the vexed problem in Twipra through dialogue, negotiation and discussion (sic). As such it is always ready to hold talks but it has to be on the question of sovereignty and independence.? The Yok continued: ?Acceptance of any offer for peace talks within the framework of Indian Constitution would mean not only the acceptance of the presence of two million Hindu Bengali illegal immigrants but also justify their stay in Twipra ?? The NLFT statement came following the State government?s call to the underground organisations to shun violence and come overground for peace talks. But the NLFT?s precondition that the talks must be held on the question of ?sovereignty and independence? virtually rules out possibility of any such negotiation in the near future. The mouthpiece of the militants written in good English was first published in February last. In the paper, the outlawed organisation sought to allay the ?misconception? of teachers that they would be kidnapped or killed. The militant?s armed wing, RBA, appealed to the teachers to ??drop such preconceptions?? and join schools in rural areas. The NLFT has referred to political parties of the State when it criticised the CPI-M for forming Gram Rakshi Bahini. The NLFT observed that the decision to raise the Gram Rakshi Bahini was questioned, debated and opposed by opposition political parties. The NLFT felt the GRB was raised to serve the ruling CPI-M party countering opposition particularly the ?nationalist Boroks?.