Himanta Biswa Sarma Invites Ulfa (I) Chief to Assess Assam's Development

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said here on Monday that he was communicating with outlawed Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Baruah at regular intervals and trying to persuade him to come to Assam at least for 15 days to see the ground realities by himself.

Pointing out that it was not easy for Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Baruah to give up the demand of sovereignty for which he has been fighting for the past 30-35 years, Mr Sarma told reporters: “I am confident that once Mr Baruah sees the changes at the grassroots level by himself, his charter of demands will change.” He said he was ready to facilitate safe passage to the Ulfa (I) chief.

Mr Sarma said he was frequently communicating with Mr Baruah and had even asked his ministers and MLAs to keep Mr Baruah informed about all the ongoing changes and development activities in the state.

“I have informed the IB also that I have asked all my ministers and MLAs to talk with Paresh Baruah and speak about the achievements happening in Assam… He must know that Assam is changing.” He said he has asked the police that if someone speaks with the Ulfa (I) chief, not to track him and understand the needs of Assam. “Let him talk to people to know the ground realities. The changes are visible, people will tell him so,” he said.

Asserting that the state’s security agencies are capable enough to keep the state protected from Ulfa (I)’s subversive activities, Mr Sarma said: “I want to let the Ulfa (I) chief interact with the people of the state so that he could know Assam is no longer the state which he left 30 years ago.

The Ulfa (I) chief is fighting for sovereignty for its people, but the people of Assam don’t want sovereignty.”

Saying that his government has asked the Centre to remove the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act completely from the state, the chief minister said the Union home ministry was reluctant to remove it fully, but in two more out of four districts it would be removed soon.

Asserting that the BJP government in Assam has succeeded in bringing all insurgent groups except only one, the anti-talks faction of Ulfa (I), to the mainstream by shunning the path of violence, Mr Sarma said that it has changed the state’s narrative, known for its bandhs and agitations.

Giving details of his government’s achievements, Mr Sarma said the state was excelling on all parameters, including infrastructure development, economy, connectivity, employment generation, agriculture and education.

He said: “Assam’s GDP in 2023-24 touched Rs 5.65 lakh crores. It is unprecedented because it reflects 14.7 per cent growth. Today, Assam is almost becoming an economic powerhouse. This year’s projection shows that in 2024 Assam’s GDP will be Rs 6.38 lakh crores. I think that before 2026 Assam’s economy will be close to Rs 10 lakh crores in the way that we are progressing now.”