Discussion with ULFA (I) Chief Paresh Baruah Is In A Peculiar Situation: Assam CM

DY365
DY365
Published: July 3,2021 02:51 PM
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The Chief Minister said that people are working towards finding an “honourable middle path” for the talks to happen and he is hopeful

July 3, 2021: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the issue of having talks with ULFA – Independent’s (ULFA-I) Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua is in a “peculiar situation” given the fact that the banned outfit wants to discuss “only sovereignty”.



“Discussion with Paresh Barua is in a peculiar situation. ULFA-I have always been of the view that they will discuss only sovereignty. Right from the President to MLA everyone takes oath to protect sovereignty. So either I have to break my oath or Paresh Barua has to give up his demand for sovereignty. Neither is happening. Both sides are firm on their stands,” CM Sarma said addressing a press conference in the national capital.



CM Sarma however said that he is “hopeful” and people are working to find an “honourable middle path”. “We have to find a via media. Some people are working on this, let us see how it develops. Some people are talking to Paresh Barua, I am in touch with New Delhi. We have to find a middle path between the two extremes,” he said.



“I am hopeful but it is not like something is going to happen tomorrow,” the CM said.





CM Sarma on the very day he was sworn in had reached out to Paresh Barua and asked him to come forward for talks.



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It was within days of CM Sarma’s appeal to Barua that kidnapped ONGC employee Ritul Saikia was released by the banned militant outfit.



On the issue of the Karbi Peace Accord, the Chief Minister said that the discussions are over. It will be announced as soon as the Centre gives the date.





The CM had met President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, Union Coal Minister Prahlad Joshi during his three-day visit to New Delhi.



CM Sarma also met Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and discussed the border issue.