GUWAHATI:The split in the banned ULFA became more evident on Friday as the hardline faction of the outfit issued a statement saying it will not abide by the orders and decisions of ULFA ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa till he is in ‘enemy captivity’.
The hardliner faction, led by ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua, reiterated its defiance of the indefinite unilateral ceasefire declared by Rajkhowa.In an emailed statement to the media here, ‘publicity secretary’ of the hardline faction, Arunudoy Dohotia said Rajkhowa’s declaration of ceasefire ‘has no authoritative sanction’ from the outfit.Dohotia also rejected the outfit’s ‘general council’ meeting in Assam in February, which, according to Rajkhowa, had authorised him to declare ceasefire whenever necessary.Dohotia said the outfit will not follow any orders or decisions of Rajkhowa at present, but will once again follow his diktats if he abandons the ‘enemy’.
Rajkhowa, currently out on bail, is leading the peace talks with the government, though Barua has preferred to remain out of the peace process and vowing to continue the armed struggle for ‘independence’ of Assam.Rajkhowa had, on July 12, announced ceasefire saying it shall be with immediate effect and binding on all cadres of the outfit.
”The ULFA, with a view to exploring a lasting peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, resolves to cease all forms of armed campaign for an indefinite period,” Rajkhowa had said. (UNI)
