GUWAHATI: In response to a letter from the banned terrorist organisation United Liberation Front of Assam -- Independent (ULFA-I), the US-based secessionist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) purportedly stated that they are willing to provide support for the "Assam Independence Referendum" (AIR).
The ULFA-I leader Paresh Baruah wrote an open letter to the SFJ in response to threats made against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "At the very outset, SFJ expresses gratitude to the Assamese people for always standing with the Sikh people in their struggle for freedom from India and for never being part of the state sponsored persecution of Sikhs being carried out in India since June 1984 Operation Blue Star," the letter read.
In the letter, Pannu said that his organisation will support the ULFA's decision to hold an Assam independence referendum and provide all necessary legal and logistical support.
According to the statement, "General Paresh, you also announce to hold a referendum on the question of whether Assam should become independent, considering that Assamese people have the right to self-determination under international law, valuing their commitment and sacrifices for the cause of freedom, and accounting for ULFA-I’s dedication.”
"SFJ disputes and rejects India's claim to territorial integrity as the current geographical borders of the Union of India are a colonial heritage predicated on the usurpation of the right to self-determination of the indigenous people of Punjab, Assam, and other places," Pannu added.
Paresh Baruah, the head of ULFA-I, had referred to Pannu's threat against the Assam Chief Minister as "unfortunate and misunderstood" in a letter to the SFJ.
In particular, Assam Police have tightened security measures in response to Pannu's warning against CM Sarma.
Also Watch: