CM urges ULFA-I to come forward for talks; create peaceful Assam for Gen-next
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated his appeal to militant outfit, United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I), to come forward for peace talks, stating that “both the government and ULFA should create an ambience for peace talks in the coming days.
Addressing the Assam Assembly on Monday, Sarma expressed his gratitude to ULFA-I chief Paresh Baruah for acknowledging his appeal by releasing abducted ONGC employee, Ritul Saikia, saying that the move has brought a ray of hope for an environment of talks which can pave the way for a peaceful Assam.
“The next generation has the right to live in a peaceful Assam and I therefore appeal to ULFA-I chief Paresh Baruah to come forward for peace talks with the government,” the chief minister said, adding that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah too are looking for a meaningful peace dialogue with the outfit.”
“Both the government and ULFA-I should, with an open mind, create an ambience for dialogue. Let the path of peace start from Ritul Saikia’s release,” Sarma said.
Recalling the Bodo peace accord that ushered in peace in the Bodo belt, the chief minister said that through the accord, the Prime Minister had dreamt of bringing peace in Bodoland Territorial Region.
“We will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism in the region. Besides, we also intend to bring peace in Karbi Anglong for which we want to start the process for another peace pact,” the Chief Minister said.
(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)
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