New Delhi: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Friday sought amendment in the Constitution for finding "meaningful" ways to protect the rights and identity of indigenous people of Assam.
To find an honourable solution to Assam's three-decade-old insurgency problem, top ULFA leaders on Friday met Home Minister P Chidambaram and presented the group's 'charter of demands', setting the ball rolling for peace talks with the government.
"We demand Constitutional and political arrangements and reforms, including protection of the identity and material resources of indigenous population of Assam," 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa said in the 'charter of demands'.
The 40-minute meeting with Chidambaram was also attended by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, apart from six other top leaders of the group.
Later, addressing a press conference, ULFA's 'foreign secretary' Shashadhar Choudhury said the government has to change rules and law as a solution is not possible under the provisions of the existing Constitution.
"Constitution has to be changed," he said, flanked by outfit's 'vice-chairman' Pradip Gogoi and 'general secretary' Chitraban Hazarika.
Earlier, emerging from the meeting at North Block, the chief minister echoed a similar sentiment saying "If necessary, we may have to change law. But we must find a peaceful solution under the Constitution".
Choudhury said due to continuous illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other countries, indigenous people of the state have been reduced to minority and it was the responsibility of the Central government to protect their rights and identity through Constitutional safeguards.
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