Paresh pledges to shun violence if Anna supports sovereignty cause

GUWAHATI: Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah on Friday said he would give up violence if Anna Hazare supports his campaign for a sovereign Assam.

Paresh, who's currently holed up in Myanmar, has said he will not take part in the Assam peace process until the Centre agrees to include the sovereignty issue in the talks agenda.

Quoting the fugitive leader, Ulfa (Paresh faction) publicity chief Arunodoy Duhotiya said: "Ulfa pays its respect to Anna Hazare who is seeking a transformation. The people of Assam have extended their support to Hazare. We hope he also respects their sentiment and supports Ulfa's fight for sovereignty."

In an statement e-mailed to the media, Duhotiya said Baruah has appealed to all Gandhians to support Ulfa's movement. "Gandhiji never supported colonialism. I appeal to all Gandhians, as well as Hazare, to support our cause. And if they do so, we will shun violence and tread the Gandhian path of non-violence. Arms are not Ulfa's love, but a compulsion," the Ulfa commander-in-chief was quoted as saying.

Baruah said one section of society has been grabbing power in the name of democracy. He added, "This type of democracy cannot fulfill the social, economical and political aspirations of the people. The people of India are angry with the current form of democracy and have rallied behind Hazare. This is the same reason that Ulfa has been fighting for over three decades. But the people of India have realized this after so many years."

The Ulfa military boss said if Hazare's Jan Lopal Bill was passed by Parliament, it would not benefit Assam as the state has more problems other than corruption.