GUWAHATI: 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.
“We do not want to participate in any form of peace talks unless the government of India is willing to take the (issue of) independence of Assam into consideration and practice it in their constitution,” said Paresh Baruah in a statement.
“You have repeatedly asked us to join the false, biased and ridiculous peace talks held by the Indian government. We would like to decline your request again to join the ‘mainstream’ peace talks because we only follow the revolutionary stream that will lead to an independent Asom. Our struggle will continue until our ultimate goal is achieved. I urge you not to ask us to lay down our arms in (the) hope of your empty promises. I suggest you stick to your pretentious religion and let us continue our journey to freedom,” the ULFA leader said.
Paresh Barua in a statement also said that his group had taken up arms “not to threaten” any individual or sovereign nation, but to protect themselves.
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”.
Baruah’s statement has put a full stop to all the speculations over the ULFA-I group’s possibility of the ongoing peace process.
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.
Photo: The Quint