Join meaningful parleys: Dispur to ULFA (I) chief Paresh Barua

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With peace parleys already going on with one faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the State government has urged the ULFA (Independent) and its chief Paresh Barua to also enter into a meaningful peace dialogue with it and the Centre.

Making this appeal, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told mediapersons here on Tuesday, “I appeal to both Paresh Baruah and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to have a meaningful peace dialogue with both the Government of Assam and the Government of India.”

Revealing that the Central government is ready to have meaningful talks with Paresh Barua, Minister Sarma added, “Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave us this assurance of having talks with ULFA, in Delhi yesterday. He wants the parleys to be meaningful, and for this the discussion must include all factions of the ULFA.”

Referring to the tripartite Bodo peace agreement signed on Monday in New Delhi, Sarma said, “The Memorandum of Settlement has brought an end to the movement that has been demanding a separate State by breaking Assam since 1966. More than 4,000 people including masses and security forces died during this period over this issue.”

On the proposed constitution of a commission for the inclusion and exclusion of Bodo and non-Bodo villages from BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Area Districts), Sarma said, “This panel will be headed by a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court. All stakeholders will have to submit their respective submissions to the Commission, which ultimately will make the final call on these issues.”

Created under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India, BTAD consists of four districts — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang.

Minister Sarma also informed, “On January 30, the various factions of Bodo militant groups will formally hand over their arms and ammunitions to the State administration. The venue of this ceremony can be either Guwahati or Kokrajhar.”

Alluding to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, Minister Sarma said, “The High Power Committee on Clause 6 will submit its report to the Government of India by February 15, 2020. Based on the panel’s report, Assam will get positive news before the Bohag Bihu; this has been assured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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