CM Himanta appeals to Paresh Barua to come forward for peace talks

One-time financial assistance distributed to 318 surrendered militants

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today made a passionate appeal to Paresh Barua to shun the path of violence and hold peace talks with the government during the programme for distribution of one-time financial assistance to 318 surrendered militants at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra auditorium.

"People of Assam now want peace and development. Except for the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), almost all other militant groups of the State have either laid down arms or are having negotiations with the government. I appeal to Paresh Barua to come for peace talks with the government. Violence can never resolve any issue. It is only through peaceful dialogue that we can find a solution to all issues and problems. I hope that one day the government will be able to start peace talks with the ULFA," said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The financial grant was distributed under the government's rehabilitation package for surrendered militants. Each of the 318 surrendered militants received a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh. The surrendered militants belonged to six rebel groups and included 127 cadres of the United Gorkha People's Organization (UGPO), 74 of Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA), 38 cadres of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA), 33 of Kuki Liberation Front (KLF), 35 cadres of ULFA and 11 of the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).

The Chief Minister urged them to use the fund judiciously by engaging in self-employment activities. He said that the government had covered 6,740 surrendered militants under its rehabilitation package and provided skill training to 3,276 surrendered militants.

He said, "Agitation does not serve any purpose. So it should not be used as a weapon against the government. Ours is a democratic country, there are courts and laws. If anyone has any issue, they can resort to democratic means to voice their opinion against the government. But agitation only gives rise to revolt. The Assam Movement eventually led to the rise of the ULFA, although it was not what the leaders of the movement had wanted or envisioned. Similarly, the Bodo movement led to the birth of the Bodo insurgent groups and the movement for Karbi autonomous state led to the birth of the Karbi insurgent groups."

The Chief Minister further said that surrendered militants, for reasons best known to them, keep some of their arms. They later use these arms or sell them to others. "When these arms are seized by the armed forces or police, the surrendered militants get into trouble. So I urge all surrendered militants to lay down all their arms," he said.

Regarding the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA), he said that at one time this Act was in force in the entire State. But due to the continuous efforts of the Centre and the Assam Government, most of the armed outfits had joined the negotiation table and so the AFSPA had been lifted from almost 65 per cent area of the State.

"We are trying to revoke the Act in the areas of Karbi Anglong where it is still in force. When that happens, the AFSPA will be in force only in the nine districts of Upper Assam," said Sarma.

Violence and deaths– be it of security personnel or rebels– is unfortunate, said the Chief Minister. "I appeal to all to shun violence and to contribute towards establishing permanent peace in the State. I also appeal to the civil society to play an important role in guiding our youths so that they utilize their vigour and strength to build a strong Assam," said Sarma.

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