ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah declares unilateral truce

If the outfit comes forward for peace, we'll reciprocate it with a similar gesture: CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah declared a unilateral ceasefire for three months with effect from Saturday. Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that if any official move for peace comes from the ULFA the government will reciprocate that with a similar gesture.

The development came close on the heels of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appealing to the ULFA to come forward for peace talks. Sarma appealed to the outfit soon after taking oath as the Chief Minister.

A press statement issued by the ULFA in this regard said that it had to take such a move taking the humanitarian crisis due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

If the move by the ULFA has anything to do with the appeal from the Chief Minister is something to speculate.

What is significant is that in its release the ULFA denied its hand in the Friday grenade blast in Digboi. It rather said that the blast was a handiwork of people who want to malign the image of the ULFA. The outfit alleged that some of the army and Assam Police personnel are behind the conspiracy.

Talking to the media on the development, the Chief Minister said, "I've just heard the ULFA's ceasefire declaration. There has been no official communication on this with us from the outfit. We're watching the development.

"We did say that both the sides would have to strike a happy medium to create a situation congenial for peace talks. If the ULFA comes forward for peace talks, we'll have to reciprocate that.

"I'll have to talk on this issue at the official level and with the Government of India as well. I reiterate that killings and violence will only aggravate the situation. We don't want the Army and the police personnel engaged in any anti-insurgency operation during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Also Read: Kidnapped Oil Employees Likely to be Released, Family Grateful to Paresh Baruah

Also Watch: Head-on-collision in Barpeta, 3 Seriously Injured