Assam: No ceasefire from government side on ULFA-I’s unilateral ceasefire announcement, says CM
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday, replied to rebel outfit ULFA-I's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, saying that there is no ceasefire from the side of the government.
The CM stated that the announcement of ceasefire is "good" but Paresh Baruah, the ULFA-I vice-chairperson and commander-in-chief, must consider joining the peace process.
“We are looking into the announcement of unilateral ceasefire by the ULFA-I as a ray of hope, but that doesn’t mean the ULFA-I would be allowed to carry on with its subversive activities. We will take action against ULFA-I when need arises,” the CM said, adding that the rebel outfit must come ahead for a necessary conversation on the table with the government.
ALSO READ: ULFA-I calls for three months of unilateral ceasefire due to COVID-19 hit in Assam
Sarma made these statements after meeting the family members of Ritul Saikia, an ONGC employee, who was abducted by the ULFA-I.
Ritul Saikia along with two other ONGC employees, Mohini Mohan Gogoi and Alakesh Saikia, were kidnapped by ULFA-I cadres on April 21. Gogoi and Saikia were rescued on April 24 after an encounter near the Indo-Myanmar border in Mon district, while Ritul still remains captive.
ALSO READ: Assam CM meets abducted ONGC employee Ritul Saikia’s family
“Paresh Baruah must pay heed to the wishes of the people of Assam, who want peace and not violence,” Sarma added.
The CM assured the family members of Ritul Saikia that the government will do everything it takes to rescue him at the earliest.
(Edited by Marvin Kharsohnoh)
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