NAGAON, Sept 24 � Former ULFA cadres, who had abjured violence and given up arms to join the mainstream, are not satisfied with the attitude of the present Government. They have decided to go on the agitational path for wresting their rights.
A meeting of the coordination committee of former ULFA cadres was held at Nagaon recently in which representatives of 18 district committees took part.
Later, addressing reporters, the former ultras said that altogether 7,642 ULFA cadres surrendered between 1997 to 2005. At the time of surrender, the Government promised to withdraw pending cases against them and give them employment opportunities, but nothing has come out of it.
The peeved pro-talk ULFA cadres submitted a memorandum to the Governor in August. They demanded withdrawal of the pending cases, appointment in government jobs according to their qualifications and by considering their age or a grant of Rs 3 lakh to start new ventures for earning their livelihood.
They further demanded halt to the construction of big dams, update of the NRC, solution of the inter-State border problems and early start of the dialogue process with the ULFA.
Poll campaign vehicle: A vehicle for election campaigning has been constructed by the Prakash Body Construction Company here.
Addressing media persons at its factory recently, proprietor Devender Singh Sohni informed that a contractor entrusted their company with constructing the vehicle. The design was conceptualised by his firm and 90 per cent of the material used in the construction was fabricated locally. Only the machines were supplied by the Tata company.
There is sitting capacity for nine persons and three beds are also available inside the vehicle. The vehicle is fitted with fridge, oven, two ACs, one hydraulic lift from which a person can address the public, microphones, satellite TV, theatre and chemical toilet.
Though the total construction cost is yet to be calculated, it is expected to be somewhere in the range of Rs 40-50 lakh. The company has taken four months� time to complete the vehicle. Devender Singh informed that his two sons and other employees of the company have helped in the construction of the vehicle .
He further said that if the Government extends help, his firm would be able to construct such vehicles commercially and with at least 25 per cent less construction costs. The firm will also be able to generate employment for local youths, he added.
Meanwhile, construction of another vehicle is going on for a State politician, he informed.