GUWAHATI, Nov 23 � Members of the new central committee formed by the hard line faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have the capability of strengthening the outfit and to carry forward the goal of the ULFA, asserted the commander in chief of the outfit, Paresh Baruah.
Baruah, who called up The Assam Tribune from an unknown place immediately after the announcement of the new committee, said that the formation of the new committee after senior leaders including ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa came for talks with the Government would not affect the ULFA. "It is very much possible that some of the new faces in the Central committee have the talent to perform better than the previous central committee members," he added.
The ULFA C-in-C refused to divulge the identity of the new acting chairman Dr Abhijit Barman. He said that the members of the ULFA have confidence on the abilities of Barman and that is why he has been made the acting chairman.
Replying to a question as to why persons have been not been appointed in permanent positions, Baruah said that most of the persons in the new committee lack adequate experience and that is why they have been asked to officiate. "I am asked to act as the acting vice chairman because I also did not have adequate experience of working in the political wing of the outfit," he pointed out.
Baruah said that if Arabinda Rajkhowa and other ULFA leaders return to the jungles, they would be welcome. He said that they had nothing personal against those who opted for talks with the Government of India and "we are only opposing the policies adopted by them. We have not forgotten the sacrifices that they made for the ULFA over the years and due honour will be given to them if they decide to return. One can make mistakes, but if he or she admits the mistakes, everything is forgotten. Similarly, if those who opted for talks realise their mistakes and return to the ULFA , due honour would be given to them."
Replying to a question on reports of fresh recruitments by the ULFA, Baruah said that recruitment has been a continuous process for the ULFA since its formation. He asserted that there is no shortage of Assamese youths who are willing to join the ULFA to fight for the sovereignty of Assam. The youths who have studied the history of Assam thoroughly would like to fight for restoration of Assam's sovereignty and that is why the Government of India is trying to withdraw history as a subject from the school curriculum, he added.
