ULFA insists on sovereignty, ready for plebiscite

Guwahati, Feb 16 (UNI) The ULFA today denied that there was any Track-II negotiation with the Centre and insisted that only sovereignty would be discussed in future negotiation.

In a statement ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah said, ''ULFA has not entered into any kind of negotiation with the Government of India. Our only specific pre-condition is that the issue of restoration of Assam's sovereignty should be on the agenda for talks.'' His tough stand has nipped in the bud any possible chance of fresh attempt of peace.

Regarding referendum or plebiscite, the ULFA leader said, '' In principle, the ULFA is ready for a plebiscite and not referendum, under international supervision.'' '' ULFA called off the ban on celebration of National Games by showing respect to the appeal of legendary sports personalities and sport-loving people of Asom, not because of any love for Indian colonial rulers,'' he reiterated.

'' However, a section of people have tried to give impression to the masses that this gesture is ULFA's weakness. Since the day ULFA banned the National Games the flatterers of India condemned ULFA.

They left no stone unturned to derive public opinion for holding the Games by stating it as a great event to uphold Asom's dignity,'' He said, ''To make the National Games a great success they created an awesome situation in Asom attacking Hindi-speaking people and increasing immensely the number of security forces to build up strong anti-ULFA campaign in Asom. The plan to choose Asom as a host for the Games is to strengthen the logic that the state is an indispensable part of India.'' '' The puppet government of Asom was trapped in this crafty plan and did not hesitate to victimise the masses of Asom. ULFA received the dead body of Biplob Sangmai as a reward for the regard shown to boost sports in Asom'' said Paresh Barua, himself a footballer of repute and in fact represented the state also in his young days.

The ULFA's decision of withdrawing the boycott call was welcomed by all irrespective of party and organizations. Notable sportsmen, sports-loving masses, various politicians, political parties, conscious citizens, social organization called it a 'time- honoured' decision and put forward various explanation and appealed to ULFA to take such step of ''public interest'' in future.

Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies are apprehending serious outbreak of violence from the closing ceremony of the National Games on Sunday next.

Last time too ULFA struck in a big way within hours of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visiting Upper Asom.

UNI