Paresh forms new panel

Guwahati, Nov. 21 : The Ulfa group led by its “commander-in-chief” Paresh Barua today announced that its new central committee would comprise 16 members and a three-member group of advisers would steer its new political wing to carry forward its fight for “sovereignty” of Assam.

The group, which is against negotiations without a dialogue on sovereignty, yesterday said it was revamping its political wing to fill up the void created after the departure of chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other senior leaders of the outfit. Today, the group, however, said that doors were open for any leader who decides to leave the peace process and return to the outfit.

An email statement issued by the group’s central publicity wing leader, Arunodoi Dohotia, said it had decided not to have an executive committee like earlier and instead they decided for a three-member permanent committee as advisers.

“A unanimous decision has been taken to nominate three respected persons who completely support the cause of sovereign Assam and will steer our political wing to take forward our movement. There will be scope to widen the three-member permanent committee in the future,” the statement said.

The group, however, did not disclose the names of the committee members and said doors would remain open for Rajkhowa and other senior leaders who are currently into political negotiations with New Delhi.

“The new central committee has been constituted not to exclude our chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other central committee leaders who are engaged in the so-called political negotiations. The doors of the organisation are open for all who understand the futility of the so-called talks process and return to the organisation to strengthen our fight for a sovereign Assam. We have decided to welcome them back into the fold with respect,” the statement said.

Rajkhowa, when asked by The Telegraph, however, said the decision to hold talks with the government was taken by the organisation after discussions in the general council and central executive committee.

Without naming anyone, Rajkhowa said, “I do not want to make any comment on an individual’s statement but initiating dialogue with the government was an organisational decision and we will move forward accordingly. It is up to the people of Assam to decide who is right to resolve the long conflict keeping in mind the experiences of the last 31 years.”

Sources in the Rajkhowa group said Barua wanted himself expelled so he could take over as the chairman.

“He is trying to provoke us into doing just that but we are not ready to oblige,” a source said.