Centre will reciprocate if ULFA offers formally: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

CM Himanta Statement on ULFA-I Problem in Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that if ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah expresses his willingness for discussion in a proper way, the Centre will reciprocate it with a similar gesture, and it's just a matter of a 'formal proposal' from the outfit.

Addressing a press meet here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said, "We also agree that police and military forces can't solve the ULFA problem that needs a political solution. The declaration of the unilateral ceasefire by Paresh Baruah has stopped short of a crucial phrase – 'for discussion'. We are waiting for an elaborate statement from Paresh Baruah regarding talks. An elaborate statement from his side can make us frame the ground rules to be followed by both sides.

"My appeal to Paresh Baruah is to free ONGC employee Ritul Saikia who is under the custody of the ULFA. It'll create an atmosphere congenial for peace talks."

On Paresh Baruah's demands from the oil sector, the Chief Minister said, "It's the responsibility of the State Government to take more benefits from the oil sector. We can't take the oil sector to ransom to give Assam more benefits by kidnapping its employees. I appeal to Paresh Baruah to release Ritul Saikia immediately."

Significantly, minutes after the Chief Minister appealed for the release of Ritul Saikia, Paresh Baruah responded to it positively, and said in the electronic media, "We're going to release Ritul Saikia within four days."

The Chief Minister further said, "It's taken for granted that the oil sector has been exploiting Assam's resources without benefiting the State. It's not correct. The oil sector is contributing immensely to the economic and social sectors of the State. We get a huge amount in the form of royalty, GST and the State's share from the oil sector. Taking all these, we got Rs 14,726 crore in fiscal 2017-18 and Rs 16,007 crore in fiscal 2019-20 from the oil sector. If we need to get more benefits from the oil sector, we'll have to talk to the Centre. On the contrary, if we keep taking the oil sector to ransom, we'll break the economic backbone of the State.

"The ULFA should keep faith in us. It's my responsibility to take up the issues of the oil sector with the Centre."

The Chief Minister further said that the talks will be with the Centre. "If Paresh Baruah expresses his will for peace talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reciprocate with a similar gesture," he added.

Also Read: Assam Government is ready for talks with ULFA: Himanta Biswa Sarma