Calling for peace, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 1 urged Paresh Baruah, the chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) – ULFA (I) – to abandon the demand for an ‘independent state’ and engage in talks.
Attending a New Year’s event at Dispur, chief minister Sarma stated that although Paresh Baruah may have chosen the wrong path, but he embraced militancy out of love for Assam.
He said that Paresh Baruah must understand the changing reality of the state; the Assam he left behind 30 years ago no longer exists.
“So, Paresh Baruah should come to Assam for 15 days to assess the current condition of the state and understand the attitude of the people,” he added.
He said that the youth in Assam do not seek independence. Instead, they aspire for the resolution of existing issues and the development of the region.
Sarma said that continuous discussions with ULFA chief Paresh Baruah would definitely yield positive results.
On December 29, 2023, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed an agreement.
Home minister Amit Shah said the “tripartite settlement is significant for Assam’s peace” and the government had achieved success in eliminating all the violent groups in the state.
