Gogoi Downplays Threat to Life from ULFA
Downplaying threat to his life by the outlawed ULFA, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that it is ‘nothing new’ and ruled out talks with the outfit on its demand of sovereignty, said media reports.
Gogoi made the remarks while reacting to reports about New Delhi’s warning of possible attacks by an ULFA hit squad against him, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his younger brother Susanta Biswa Sarma.
“I simply don’t care about ULFA’s threats as these are nothing new for me. There has always been a threat perception on my life and still I move around freely,” the Chief Minister was quoted as saying.
The Union Home Ministry had given warning in wireless message to the Assam Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police.
“As per the input received from the central security agencies, ULFA has plans to target Tarun Gogoi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his brother Susanta Biswa Sarma. In view of the above, it is requested that the input may kindly be immediately factored in while making security arrangements for Tarun Gogoi and others in order to avoid any untoward incident. Most, most urgent,” the Home Ministry communique said.
Gogoi said: “When the people of Assam are not scared of Paresh Baruah (ULFA’s commander-in-chief), do you think I as the Chief Minister would be afraid of such threats.”
He turned down the militant outfit’s demands for peace talks for sovereignty, reports said.
“Sovereignty cannot be compromised and there is no question of holding talks on their demand,” Gogoi was quoted as saying.
“It seems Paresh Baruah is not interested in talks and let me make it very clear that the government would never wait for Paresh Baruah for talks to begin,” he was quoted as saying.
It may be mentioned that the whole top leadership of ULFA except its elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah is in jail.
The imprisoned leaders include chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, and ULFA political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.
(Based on internet reports)
