Assam Minister Sanjoy Kishan apologizes to ULFA(I) chief Paresh Baruah following 24-hr ultimatum

I feel sorry if I have hurt the sentiment of ULFA(I) chief Paresh Baruah with my statement. I didn’t mean to hurt him in any way: Sanjoy Kishan

Time8 Webdesk
May 15, 2022
12:51 pm

Guwahati: After receiving a backlash from ULFA (I) on Saturday for his statement against its chief Paresh Baruah, State’s Welfare of Tea Tribes Minister of Labour & Employment and BJP legislator from Tinsukia, Sanjoy Kishan publicly apologized for his remark.

The reaction came within 24 hours, after receiving an ultimatum by the proscribed ULFA(I).

Speaking to the media, Minister Sanjay Kishan said, “I feel sorry if I have hurt the sentiment of ULFA(I) chief Paresh Baruah with my statement. I didn’t mean to hurt him in any way. I was concerned about the youths joining the banned militant organization. I am in favour of the peace deal with ULFA (I). Under the strong leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the peace negotiations process with ULFA(I) are heading smoothly.”

Notably, the banned outfit of ULFA (Independent) on Saturday warned the state’s Welfare of Tea Tribes Minister of Labour & Employment and BJP legislator from Tinsukia, Sanjoy Kishan, to either apologise for his statement against ULFA (I) chief Paresh Baruah or to face action.

On Friday, the minister while in Nagaon allegedly commented that the militant chief was a ‘liar’. Kishan was reacting to the reports of ULFA (I) awarding death sentences to two youths for allegedly being state police agents and the death of one Biju Gogoi, who as per the outfit had committed suicide.

He said that the militant chief was lying about the death of Gogoi and has been misleading the youths of the state for a long period.

Reacting to Kishan’s comment, militant leader Arunodoy Asom in a statement said, “ULFA (I) has already clarified its stand on the death of Biju Gogoi and provided the evidence. If necessary we will give more proof to Gogoi’s family. But the way Kishan has termed the group chief as ‘liar’ is unacceptable.”

The outfit leader added, “If Kishan doesn’t apologise within 24 hours then he will be declared banned in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts. No one should attend any program of Kishan. ULFA (I) will not be responsible for any consequence upon those who support Kishan.”