ULFA faction renamed ULFA(I), demands sovereignty talks

In an attempt to stop it being called the anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam, the faction led by Paresh Barua has changed its name to United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) or ULFA(I).

The outfit has reiterated that it would agree to talks with the Indian government for a solution in Assam only when the discussion is based on its demand for a ‘sovereign Assam’ and held in a third country in the presence of a representative of the United Nations.

It was disclosed in a statement e-mailed to the media by the outfit’s self-styled chairman Abhijit Asom. The statement said these decisions were taken in the executive committee meeting of the outfit held in an undisclosed location from April 2 to 6. It stated that it should be identified not merely as a group but a revolutionary organisation aspiring for a ‘sovereign Assam’.

The ULFA(I) has also decided to use phrases from languages spoken by various ethnic communities in Assam for commands within the group.

According to a security source, the step is obviously aimed at regaining ground among various ethnic groups in the state by the outfit whose influence is on the wane.

The outfit has entrusted additional full-fledged responsibility of vice-chairmanship to its commander-in-chief Paresh Barua while one of its senior leaders, Jibon Asom, has been appointed as the new finance secretary.