ULFA leaders' wives the 8th day of hunger strike

Guwahati, Mar 28 (UNI) Wives of five 'missing' ULFA leaders, are on their eighth day of hunger strike, demanding an investigation into the whereabouts of their husbands.

The leaders were missing since 'Operation All Clear' was launched against the outfit by the Royal Bhutan Army in December 2004. The women went on an indefinite hunger strike since March 21.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has urged them to call off their strike.

However, all government initiatives to pacify the agitators has been limited to mere display of concern, without any concrete steps, alleged supporters of the agitators.

As their strike entered the eighth day today, their health showed signs of deterioration. Doctors who attended to them in the morning said the condition of the agitating women was fast slacking.

The missing leaders include Ashanta Baghphukan, Ponaram Dihingia alias Prakash Gogoi, Naba Changmai alias Muhi Dihingia, Bening Rabha and Nilu Chakrabarty.

The wives of these leaders had repeatedly approached the state about the whereabouts of their husbands. They had even knocked at the doors of the High Court for respite.

The Gauhati High Court has since directed the government to submit information about the missing insurgent leaders, with the latest reprimand coming a few weeks ago. The date for the next hearing on the issue has been fixed on March 30.

The protesting wives have been visited by a number of social organisations and individuals. Peace negotiator and Jnanpith awardee Mamoni Raisom Goswami had also met them.

ULFA 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa's sister Santi Rajkhowa has also called on the agitating wives and appealed to the government to disclose the whereabouts of the missing leaders.

A number of organisations, including Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti(MASS) and Citizen's Peace Forum, Asom, have called on the striking women.

They have appealed to the government to find the whereabouts of the ULFA leaders and have also drawn plans for taking the matter to the highest levels, including the United Nations.

UNI