GUWAHATI, May 18: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has categorically stated that the “government’s doors are always open if militant outfit, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) desires to join the peace process by preparing the ground rules.
Welcoming the three-month unilateral ceasefire announced recently by ULFA-I in the wake of the critical COVID situation in the state, Sarma said “there is hope in the unilateral ceasefire announced by ULFA (I) and this must be considered in good stead.”
Terming it as a positive development, the chief minister said that several issues were involved in the dialogue process and that talks must be focused on feasible conditions.
“The ceasefire is significant but let the talks’ proposal come as the dialogue has to be based on what the government can agree or cannot agree. There will be a renewed boost to peace and tranquility in the state if the dialogue process begins honouring the limitations of all,” he said.
Sarma further informed that ULFA (I) did not declare the ceasefire in consultation with the government “and if the discussions are to be carried forward, there is a need to frame certain ground rules.”
Urging ULFA-I commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah to shun violence and join the path of peace, the chief minister said that people of the state want peace and do not want incidents such as the grenade blast at Tingrai or the abduction of ONGC employee, Ritul Saikia.
Sarma made the statements before the media during a visit to the residence of Ritul Saikia at Titabor in Jorhat district on Tuesday morning.
Interacting with Saikia’s parents and wife, Sarma informed that all-out efforts have been made to ensure the abducted ONGC employee’s safe return.
Later talking to media persons, the chief minister informed that according to state government sources, “Ritul Saikia is currently being kept in a place on the India-Myanmar border and that he is in good health.”