In what may have serious implication over the law and order situation of the state, the anti-talk faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) here on Saturday warned the ruling Congress Party of serious consequences for their “arrogant policies” and called upon the people to boycott the meeting of the ruling party.
In a statement sent on email to newspapers here, the Ulfa publicity in-charge Arunodoy Dohotia threatened armed struggle against alleged “divide and rule” policy of the Congress party. Accusing the Congress for engineering a division in the outfit, the Ulfa said, “The Congress has never given any importance to legitimate democratic struggles of the indigenous Assamese to protect their land and identity and neither has it taken steps to resolve the various issues of the state.”
Warning that outfit will not tolerate the dirty politics of the Congress party to divide Ulfa, he said, “We will launch an armed protest against the arrogant policy of the Congress.”
“We also appeal to all Assamese to boycott meetings organised by Congress ministers, legislators and other leaders who are now indulging in politics of enticement by distributing yarn, blankets and mosquito nets before the forthcoming assembly polls,” said the Ulfa commander.
The threat has come close on the heels of the PM’s visit. “After exploiting the state’s resources of oil, gas, tea and coal, the Congress government has now moved on to water and has laid out a red carpet welcome to outside industrialists to set up big dams on Brahmaputra and its tributaries,” the statement said. The Congress came to power twice in 2001 and 2006 on the promise of punishing those involved in secret killings but the person responsible for preparing the blueprint of the killings has been made the chief minister’s security adviser, he alleged.
Though, pro-talk faction of Ulfa led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa has chosen not to react to the Ulfa’ threat, the statement has created concern among the security agencies. The Ulfa leaders led by it chairman recently met PM and home minister and started preliminary rounds of talks with the government.
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PM plays down threat
age correspondent
Guwahati
Feb. 19: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday downplayed the threat of elusive Ulfa rebels to the Congress Party and asserted that they are committed to take the ongoing peace-talks with Ulfa to a logical end to restore peace in Assam.
In a brief interaction with reporters at Jorhat Circuit House, Dr Singh, who was asked for his reaction of Ulfa threat, said, “Those elusive Ulfa rebels now issuing threats are not aware about the ground realities.”
“Our meeting with the Ulfa leadership, led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, in New Delhi had a very good beginning and its future will also be good,” said the Prime Minister.