GUWAHATI:
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Bora on May 5 urged the elusive commander of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) to come to the table for talks with a compromising attitude regarding their demands.
Bora, as part of his month-long Trinamool Yatra, visited the family of ULFA-I commander at Jeraigaon in upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Thursday morning.
Borah interacted with Paresh Baruah’s elder brother Bikul Baruah for hours.
“We want talks between the government and the ULFA-I. We will cooperate with the government in peace parleys with the ULFA-I even if we have differences of opinion with the government in many matters,” Bora said.
“I also appealed to the ULFA-I commander for talks. He should come for talks with a compromising attitude. It is the call of time. Both sides have to realize it. It will be good for the state,” Bora said.
“I have heard the statement of both Ulfa(I) chief Paresh Baruah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Instead of taking all credits, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should take the matter seriously and work productively to end the decades-old insurgency problem of Assam,” he said.
Bora expressed concern over several youths joining the militant outfit in recent times.
“Many youths, several from Tinsukia have joined the ULFA-I. It’s a matter of great concern,” Bora told reporters.
“The government has failed to keep its electoral promises. Due to which the youths have decided tpo join the outfit,” Bora also said.
After the visit, Bora along with several senior leaders of the party left for Margherita.