GUWAHATI: Addressing the first media briefing after his oath-taking ceremony on Monday, Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed to United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) commander-in-chief to come forward for peace talks.
“I appeal to ULFA leader Paresh Baruah to give up the path of armed struggle and join hands in bringing permanent peace to Assam. We have to solve the problems through dialogues. Killings and abductions do not solve problems,” Sarma said.
The chief minister also stated that a dialogue is a two-way process. Willingness of both sides is needed to start a communication.
“A dialogue with the ULFA is a two-way process. Paresh Baruah has to come forward. Similarly, we have to go to him. If both sides have the will, communication won’t be difficult,” Sarma said.
Dr Sarma claimed over the past five years under the BJP-led government, the people of the state saw a process of peace and development in Assam.
“Over the past five, people saw a process of peace and development in Assam. Peace returned to Bodo areas and Karbi Anglong. Our efforts now will be to bring the remaining rebel groups to the talks table for the establishment of permanent peace in the state,” he added.
