SULFA appeals for peace in State

GUWAHATI, April 7: Timed to coincide with the 'foundation day' of the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), surrendered members of the organisation, under the umbrella of the Asom Jatiya Mahasabha (AJM), today celebrated the day as 'anti-insurgency' and 'progress-heralding' day all over the State. The surrendered ULFA (SULFA) members were one in asserting that only peace could bring about the much-needed economic development in Assam. Addressing a mammoth public meeting at the Chandmari ground here this afternoon, senior SULFA leader and member of the steering committee of the Mahasabha, Sunil Nath strived to salvage the image of the SULFA and said, in clear terms, that the surrendered militants were not involved in political activity nor did they indulge in any orchestrated violence. Nath was candid enough to admit that the surrendered militants did not like to be known as 'SULFA' as it has come to be used in a derogatory manner. Stating that all killings were condemnable, he said that killing a non-Assamese barber or cobbler was no way of furthering the cause of the Assamese people. Asserting that the SULFA people would not involve themselves in the elections, due in the State next month, Nath said that SULFA members were not so naive as to play into the hands of politicians. Stating that shooting down ULFA or NDFB cadres was not the solution to the militancy problem, Nath said that the real solution lay in solving the problems of economic development besieging the State. Reading out a statement on behalf of the Mahasabha earlier, another SULFA leader Lohit Deuri said that the AJM was of the view that the roots of all problems in Assam could be traced to the stagnant economy and the crushing unemployment situation. He said that the people of the State desired freedom from the cycle of violence. Deuri stated that though the people, at one time, supported or sympathised with those who had launched the insurgency in the name of progressive revolution, they soon got tired of the militancy that degenerated into a spree of loot and murder. Accusing the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of stoking the fires of unrest in Assam as well as other parts of India, Deuri said that it was unfortunate that the militants could not see through the ISI game. He said that the Mahasabha has resolved to do everything possible to wipe out violence from the State to foster development. He appealed to the public to lend a hand in this regard. The meeting, presided over by Srinath Rabha, was also addressed by Kalpajyoti Neog, Agni Narzary, leaders of organisations like the All Assam Tea Tribes Students' Students' Association (AATTSA) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), and other SULFA leaders.