GUWAHATI: Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a gathering in Kokrajhar to celebrate the signing of Bodo Peace Accord on February 8 urged Paresh Baruah led-ULFA (I) to join for peace talks with the Centre.
Himanta Biswa said,"I urge the ULFA-I and other militant organizations to join the Centre in the peace talks. I especially request the ULFA-I to come overground and join the discussions to promote peace in Assam.”
The Misister further thanked PM Modi's initiative to devlop the BTAD area.
Earlier, ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah on January 28 made it clear and simple that he would not accept Modi’s central government’s peace talks offer if the ‘sovereignty’ issue is not included in the agenda of discussion in a telephonic conversation with a local TV channel.
The rebel leader, who is currently said to be close to the Chinese border in Myanmar, also described peace talks with the government of India as “false, biased and ridiculous”.
The elusive ULFA commander-in-chief has always been demanding that talks would be possible only if the issue of “sovereignty of Assam” is included in the agenda.