Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma a ‘Catalyst’ for peace process: Paresh Baruah

ULFA-I commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah has said that the group considers Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to be a catalyst rather than an interlocutor. Talking to our group channel News Live Chief Managing Editor Zarir Hussain, the ULFA commander-in-chief welcomed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s efforts to initiate a peace process.

Paresh Baruah said that Chief Minister Sarma is well versed with the every aspect of the entire issue and is an able political leader. Baruah believes that Himanta Biswa Sarma would be able to convince the Centre about the key demand of the ULFA-I someway or the other to bring a solution to the long drawn armed conflict. Responding to Chief Minister Sarma’s statement that it is the beginning of the end to the ULFA issue, Paresh Baruah said that the ULFA-I positively considers different statements made by the Assam Chief Minister on the peace push.

Responding to Chief Minister Sarma’s statement that the sovereignty issue is a stumbling block and efforts are made to create a considerable position for both the parties to move beyond this, Paresh Baruah said that it will be possible.
The ULFA-I commander-in-chief also firmly believes that there will be a positive outcome under the able leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In an interaction with the editors and senior journalists of various media houses on January 1 CM Sarma had informed that even the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-Independent has shown keen interest on joining negotiations even though the outfit’s demand for sovereignty continues to be a stumbling block to the peace process. The Assam CM was, however, was hopeful that in due course of time this impasse too can be broken and a congenial atmosphere can be created for talks with ULFA-Independent.