If the pro-talk faction of the Ulfa, led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa, has started spilling the beans by authenticating inputs of security agencies on Ulfa’s nexus with Pakistan’s ISI, the hardliners led by its “commander-in-chief” Paresh Baruah has rejected the charter of demands which does not include sovereignty of Assam.
Reaffirming their commitment to continue its struggle for sovereignty of Assam, spokesman of the Ulfa hardline faction, Arunodoi Dohotiya said that the charter of demands submitted to the home ministry do not reflect the aims and objectives of the outfit.
In a statement issued through email to the local newspaper, he said, “The charter was submitted by a group of leaders who managed to come out on bail and they did not rejoin the outfit.” Slamming the pro-talk faction for giving up the demand of sovereignty, the Ulfa hardliners said that they have compromised with the interest of the people by giving up the demand for sovereignty.
“There is no reason for preparing a charter of demands to bring an end to conflicts between two nationalities. The pro-talk leaders have forgotten the fact that they led the movement for sovereignty and 13,000 persons lost their lives in 32 years of conflict,” the Ulfa hardliners said, obviously upset over the peace talks, adding that there was no reason for deaths of so many people for presenting such a charter of demands.
The hardliners also announced that August 5, the day the charter was submitted to New Delhi, will be observed as black day in the history of Assam.
They also clarified that outfit was not against political solution to the conflict but sovereignty of Assam must be the core issue.