Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, August 21:
The Assam Government today made a fresh appeal to the outlawed ULFA to come to the negotiating table, saying violence will take the state nowhere and bring misery to the people.
"I appeal to them to give up violence and come for talks.
Violence will bring misery to people and push Assam into backwardness," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here.
Neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh are harbouring ULFA leaders and have not responded to calls from the Central government to evict the rebels and hand them over to New Delhi, he said.
Gogoi accused the ULFA of having a nexus with Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency as the group's actions are helping only those forces which are inimical to India.
He denied allegations that his Congress government had a nexus with the ULFA, saying these were part of a "baseless, politically motivated campaign" against him.
Gogoi said his government was taking steps to curb violence in Karbi Anglong, where 36 Hindi-speaking people were killed recently, by deploying additional forces and enhancing vigil by using helicopters.
He also claimed that incidents of violence during his six years as Chief Minister were fewer than those in the fiveyear rule of the previous AGP government.
"This is all happening despite the ULFA changing its tactics to attack innocent people and frequently change bases," he said.