Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday issued a stern appeal to the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) to refrain from activities that jeopardize the state's burgeoning prospects.
Speaking at an event in Guwahati, Sarma condemned the recent bomb planting incidents at multiple locations, including Guwahati, attributed to ULFA-I, which occurred on August 15, and called on the group's leader, Paresh Baruah, to reconsider their approach.
Sarma expressed deep concern over the attempts to disrupt peace and stability in Assam, describing the bombings as a grave threat to the state's ongoing development. He underscored that Assam is poised to become a significant economic force in India over the next decade, but such violent acts undermine these prospects.
"We are marching strongly and resolutely. I am sure if the state remains peaceful, the eco-system remains the same and there is cooperation and enthusiasm among the youth, then we will become a powerhouse in India’s landscape in the next ten years," the chief minister said.
“In the next ten years, I am confident that Assam will become a powerhouse in the Indian landscape,” Sarma said. “However, recent actions by ULFA-I, including bombings across multiple locations on Independence Day, are deeply troubling. I would like to appeal to the ULFA-I Chief Paresh Baruah not to indulge in any activities that can jeopardise the future of our youth or the future of our state.”
Sarma emphasised that while democracy allows for differences of opinion, violence is not a legitimate means of resolution. “There can be differences of opinion in a democracy, but these cannot be resolved through violence. We must ensure the security of our motherland first. No state can prosper by creating crises at home,” Sarma asserted.
Speaking about the recent conflicts between the Indigenous and non-Assamese people, Sarma said, "The recent outburst of some organisations against non-Assamese communities has sent a wrong signal outside the state. We must realise that many aspiring and brilliant Assamese youth reside outside the state to earn their livelihood. I encourage them to do so as the country is ours and we can go everywhere."
'If Assam wages a war against the non-Assamese here, the same can happen against the Assamese residing outside Assam. Then where will our youth go?" he asked.
(PTI inputs)
