Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) leader and Assam social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma on January 26th, 2020 appealed to the fugitive Paresh Baruah, the self-styled commander-in-chief of the Mynamar-based banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I), to shun violence and return to the mainstream.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 71st Republic Day celebrations in Bongaigaon, Brahma said, “I appeal to him to come back home…it’s enough. It is time to give up arms and join the peace process to develop the state.”
She added, “His (Baruah) mother gave birth to him with lots of love and hope. It’s been many years now…he should now come and join the peace talks.”
The statement comes after four low-intensity blasts shook Assam on the morning of January 26th, 2020. Assam Police suspect that the grenades were lobbed by ULFA-I operatives.
Brahma also credited Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for bringing banned Bodo militant outfit National Democratic Front of Boroland (Saoraigwra) to the peace parleys. Also, 644 militants from eight rebel outfits laid down arms in the presence of Sonowal at a ceremony in Guwahati on January 23rd, 2020.
Sonowal also said that those who strayed into terrorism and extremist activities must be given an opportunity to come back to mainstream society and rebuild their lives.
Photo credit: Zee News (L) and Time8 (R)
