Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi
Sunday urged ULFA `commander in chief` Paresh Barua to come
forward for talks if he is `really interested` in solving the
problems of the people of the state.
"Paresh Barua should realise that the people of Assam
want peace and if he wants to see it prosper, he should give
up the path of violence and solve the problems of the state
through democratic political negotiations," Gogoi said
addressing a gathering at the official function organised to
mark the completion of four years of his second term in
office.
Insurgency, he said, is the biggest hurdle in the
economic development of the state and most outfits realising
this have come forward for talks.
Referring to Congress`s coalition partner Bodo Peoples`
Forum leader Hagrama Mohilary, Gogoi said he (Mohilary), too,
had spearheaded an armed struggle but on realising its
futility, came forward for talks and the Bodo Territorial
Council (BTC) was formed.
"Now, two BTC elections have been held and the Bodo areas
are making remarkable progress under Mohilary`s leadership,"
he said.
Gogoi thanked a section of Assam`s intellectuals, led by
Sahitya Akademi winning litterateur Hiren Gohain for taking
the initiative for peace talks with ULFA.
PTI
