Guwahati: The recent developments in Assam clearly indicate that time is conducive for talks between the state government of Assam and the anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
The Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma soon after assuming the office invited the rebel organisation for peace talks. ULFA (Independent) Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah alias Paresh Asom too has reciprocated positively towards Biswa's appeal. The rebel organisation recently, unconditionally released the abducted ONGC employee Ritul Saikia.
ETV Bharat's senior reporter Gautam Baruah spoke to the ULFA faction's Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah today over the telephone.
The rebel leader spoke to ETV Bharat from his hideout which is speculated to be in China or Myanmar. Baruah said that nothing concrete has happened so far regarding the talks but there is hope.
Baruah appreciated Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's appeal and added that the outfit was never against the talks process.
"However, the talks have to be a meaningful one and that it should not for the sake of holding talks," Baruah said.
Here are some excerpts from the telephonic interview.
Gautam Baruah: Mr. Paresh Baruah welcome to ETV Bharat
Paresh Baruah: Thank you.
Gautam Baruah: Mr. Baruah, as of now we notice a positive environment which is creating a ray of hope among the people of Assam in view of much-awaited peace talks between ULFA-Independent and the Government of India. Is there any official proposal initiated either by GoI or your side in this context?
Paresh Baruah: Well, we have been invited for talks with the government. But we have not yet received any formal invitation along with the necessary dynamics of the proposed discussions with GoI.
Gautam Baruah: Off late we witnessed that your organisation has adopted a very lenient way to release the two officers of Quippo and ONGC. Was there any mutual understanding with the companies with regard to your demands for the sake of the benefit of Assam?
Paresh Baruah: There was no formal agreement with the companies whatsoever. The Chief Minister of Assam had requested us to release Mr. Ritul Saikia. Considering his sincerity, we decided to release Mr. Saikia. Besides, the company has also assured us that they will give employment to Assamese people on priority. Also, the government of Assam promised to fulfill the seven conditions put forward by us to ONGC. We see that as a very positive response from the part of the company.
Gautam Baruah: Apart from political and other issues, I would like to know what concrete work has the ULFA done for the greater development of Assam till date?
Paresh Baruah: We have done a lot of positive work for the people of Assam. I would like to mention a few of them. We united the people of Assam for achieving a common goal. We could (sic) make our people fully aware of their ethnic rights and the decades-long exploitation of various resources of Assam. When we had started our revolution for our rights, we concentrated on imposing modern agriculture, removing various social evils like drugs, alcohol etc and safeguarding etheric culture.
We have also started specific dialogues with various corporate houses....and could convince them to undertake various social work and development activities in Assam. That is already been done. Many corporate houses like Tata Steel responded very positively and very effectively implemented various projects like medical and health. Skill development schemes, vocational and training centres, horticulture, wildlife protection in Assam, various income generation schemes were implemented as a result. We have done it.
Also Read: ULFA (I) declares ceasefire days within Sarma's appeal, cites Covid situation
