Peace the buzzword in ULFA land
Source: IANS. Jeraigaon (Assam), May 5: There was a time not very long ago when people in this remote village were scared to talk of peace. Today Jeraigaon residents have picked up enough courage to speak the language of peace and with conviction. There were at that time many reasons for the fear. Jeraigaon, 550 km east of Guwahati, is the village from where Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), and its general secretary Anup Chetia hail.
Just that was enough to make people refuse to divulge their minds about the ULFA's campaign to secede oil-rich Assam from India.
Joining the peace bandwagon today with others are schoolteachers Bikul Baruah and Bimal Baruah - the ULFA commander-in-chief's brothers. "We must all strive hard for peace and for that talks between the ULFA and the government must begin," Bimal told IANS.
"The ULFA wants the issue of sovereignty to figure in the talks. We feel the ULFA should explain why it is seeking sovereignty and the government should specify why the demand cannot be conceded," he added.
Although there is a clamour for peace, yet the villagers of Jeraigaon are very diplomatic while airing their views - no one says if he or she supports the ULFA or not. They prefer to remain silent on this issue.
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As part of their peace campaign, the 20,000 residents of this village are organizing a four-day cultural extravaganza next week where Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is expected to be present.
"The theme of the cultural fest is peace and we shall take the opportunity to urge the chief minister to try to expedite the peace process with the ULFA," Bikul said.
Everyone in this village is hoping that Assam will witness an early end to the dragging insurgency so that Paresh Baruah, as also Anup Chetia who is in jail in Dhaka, could return home.
Intelligence officials say the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief is believed to be holed up somewhere in Bangladesh from where he commands his cadres who continue to launch guerrilla strikes in Assam.
"Ever since they left Assam after forming the ULFA, we have not seen Paresh or Anup. We want both to come back home safe and sound," said a community elder.
The ULFA has been fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.
Paresh Baruah's mother Milliki, now aged about 85, has also joined the chorus of peace.
"We all want peace and there should be talks between the ULFA and the government," Milliki said. "I definitely want to see my son before I die."
Paresh Baruah, however, has maintained no links with his family since going underground.
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