Assam CM Sonowal Appeals ULFA Chief Paresh Baruah to Join Peace Talks

Sarthebari, February 3, 2020:

Breaking his silence on the peace process between the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has opined that the Commander-in-Chief of the non-talks faction of the militant group, Paresh Baruah, should sit down for talks with the Government.

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Saonowal, addressing the media on the sidelines of a religious function at the Krishna Guru Sewashram here earlier today, Sonowal said that the Paresh Baruah-led faction of the insurgent group will have a key role to play in the negotiations, and added that the Government intends to sign an Accord to settle the long drawn out insurgency problem before the commencement of Bohag Bihu.

It may be mentioned here that the Assam Government has already appealed Baruah to join the peace talks, which is nearing its final stage, according to ULFA leader Anup Chetia as well as the Government's interlocutor AB Mathur.

“Around Bohag Bihu, the Government is getting ready to relay rich news to the people of Assam. Eagerly, we await the coming of the recommendation of the high-powered committee of the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. Moreover, Home Minister Amit Shah has also clarified that the recommendations will be pondered upon with positivity by the Centre. Now, I call upon ULFA Chief Paresh Baruah to join the peace talks after the signing of the Bodo Accord, so that peace can prevail in Assam”, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said.

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