Tarun Gogoi offers amnesty to Ulfa commander in chief Paresh Baruah

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has offered amnesty to Ulfa anti-talk faction’s commander in chief, Paresh Baruah, provided he gives up secessionism. Baruah has so far refused to come overground and had in an recent interview to a local newspaper sought plebiscite, saying that a referendum in Scotland was held without bloodshed.

“We will provide amnesty to him. I will write to the Centre to consider his amnesty. However dream of plebiscite is unrealistic. Assam has witnessed series of elections and there is encouraging turnout of the voters, crossing over 70%. People are electing their government, choosing their representative under the Indian Constitution. We are part of India. Around 99% considers themselves as part of India, only one per cent like Paresh Baruah think otherwise.”

Gogoi added, “If you (Baruah) really want to do something, then why don’t you come back and fight for the people? You form a political party, do politics, contest elections and prove that people support your causes except that of Assam’s independence.”