ULFA not voting in Assam polls

The overground cadres of ULFA did not exercise their franchise in the Assam assembly polls, the outfit's vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi said on Monday.

Gogoi told PTI that the outfit had already announced that it would boycott the polls and maintain a neutral stand.

"The question of voting in the polls does not arise but we will not hamper the process. Let the people fulfil their responsibilities", he said.

ULFA spokesman Jiten Dutta said in Kakopathar that the outfit with 145 overground cadres in 3 designated camps at Kakopathar, Moran and Nalbari would continue to boycott elections till the conflict situation in the state

is resolved.

"We will, however, not disturb the poll process and hope people will elect members who will help in resolving the conflict for lasting peace in Assam," he said.

The cadres are preparing for ULFA's raising day on April 7 and will attend the central function at Kakopathar to be attended by outfit chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, he said.

Gogoi said the ULFA leadership was not in favour of keeping the cadres in designated camps but wanted them to live amongst their own family members.

The EC had notified that the ex-militants in designated camps in Assam with their names in the electoral rolls are entitled to vote by postal ballot.