Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday chose to downplay threat by hardliner ULFA faction of targeting security forces and politicians and maintained that the outfit’s ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua’s strengths have ‘weakened’.
Reacting to the ULFA’s anti-talks faction’s threat, Mr Gogoi said, ”There is nothing new in the threat. The government is always prepared to reply to such threats.”
”Paresh Barua is no longer a threat as he is himself weak now. This threat is not a matter of concern,” he added.
The hardliner ULFA, led by Barua, had yesterday warned of targeting security forces, politicians, corrupt persons, black marketers and MNCs.
It had also asked the general public to be on alert and avoid contact with such persons.
The Chief Minister said Barua is no longer a ‘factor’ in the state.
” Paresh Barua says he is fighting for the sovereignty of the state, but he has sold himself out to foreign powers,” Mr Gogoi added.
He expressed concern over the rise in Maoists presence in the state.
” Maoists are bigger threat now. We are contemplating seeking more Central forces to tackle this problem,” he added. (UNI)
