Agencies
GUWAHATI, JULY 24
Militant outfits in the northeast region frequently target innocent civilians, as a result of which, people in Assam have been protesting against the Paresh Baruah –led faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom following the killing of two Hindi-speaking people in Tinsukia district.
The Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-Independent faction has imposed ban against two Bhojpuri student groups for protesting against its involvement in the killing of a trader and his daughter in Tinsukia district.
Widespread protests have erupted all across Assam following the killing of a Hindi-speaking businessman and his daughter by suspected ULFA militants last week.In Guwahati, the Patriotic People’s Front of Assam carried out a protest rally condemning the killing of innocent civilians by ULFA (Independent).
The protestors expressed their anger against the militants for perpetuating violence in the state.
“We are against them and saying that you cannot protest or kill or condemn Indian sovereignty or integrity. This is the clear message people of the state and city are giving by coming out into the streets, demanding action against Paresh Baruah led ULFA (Independent). We are raising voice because nobody can destroy Indian Territory. We are all proud to be Indian and Paresh Baruah must come to the mainstream and resolve all the issues amicably through peace talks,” said Guwahati Press club Secretary, Nava Thakuria.
Meanwhile, a senior journalist Ronan Kumar Goswami said that ULFA has proved that it is anti-people.
“Sheltered in the safety of foreign powers, they are launching attacks on unknown people as they have been doing all the time. Killing civilians, unarmed people is not war against the state, it’s war against the people. ULFA has proved that it is anti-people. Not only anti-Indian, it’s anti-Assam. By killing people of a nationality other than Assamese, they are proving that they want disunity and chaos and anarchy in Assam,” Goswami said.
Earlier last week, suspected ULFA militants fired at the house of businessman Nandlal Shah at Bijuliban area in Tinsukia district, killing Shah and his daughter.
Three other family members were seriously injured.
While the outfit hasn’t yet taken responsibility for the attack, the state government has confirmed ULFA’s involvement and has assured strict action against the culprits.
“We are definitely confirmed that it was a heinous act by ULFA, killing such innocent people and targeting soft targets. We are not only condemning it but also have intensified operations against ULFA and other insurgent groups as well. In fact police has already identified the person responsible and two link men have already been arrested. We are going in a big way to see that all are captured,” said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
