Guwahati, Oct 30 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that his cabinet colleague Biswajit Daimary had referred

Guwahati, Oct 30 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that his cabinet colleague Biswajit Daimary had referred

Guwahati, Oct 30 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that his cabinet colleague Biswajit Daimary had referred

     Guwahati, Oct 30 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that his cabinet colleague Biswajit Daimary had referred to the pro-talks ULFA faction that has signed a peace accord with the government while recently praising the militant outfit by saying that it had "protected the state from outside forces for over five decades".

    Sarma maintained that after the peace pact was inked, the ULFA is technically no longer a banned outfit; and differentiated it from the anti-talks Paresh Barua-led faction, which rechristened itself as ULFA (Independent) after remaining out of the dialogue process.

    State Mahila Congress president Meera Barthakur Goswami, on the other hand, expressed concern at a minister "praising" an armed outfit, and sought clarification from Union Home Minister Amit Shah whether Daimary's comments reflected the national security policy.

    A video clip emerged in which Daimary was seen making the statements at the central foundation day celebration of the Matak Yuva Chhatra Sanmilan in Tinsukia's Kakopathar area on October 27.

    The sports and youth welfare minister said although some people may criticise ULFA, "no force could do anything to destabilise Assam only because of the underground organisation".

    "The people who provided ULFA with its core leadership were from the Moran and Matak communities. Even Paresh Barua (ULFA chief) is from the Matak community," he had added.

    Asked about Daimary's statements on the sidelines of a government event in Tinsukia on Thursday, the chief minister said he has spoken about it with his cabinet colleague, although he hasn't seen the video himself.

    "I asked him about it. He told me he meant the ULFA faction which has returned to the path of peace, and not the Paresh Barua group," Sarma said.

    "We have signed a peace pact with the ULFA, and it is no longer banned, technically. The ULFA (I) faction is different," he added.

    The pro-talks faction of the ULFA, led by its self-styled chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, had entered into the peace pact with the central and state governments in December 2024, though the hardliner, secessionist faction under self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Barua has continued its militancy.

    Meanwhile, Goswami, in a letter sent to Shah on Thursday, sought clarification from the Centre whether Daimary's comments were consistent with the national security policy, and also urged it to ask the state government to clarify its position over the matter.

    Also seeking clarification from Daimary, the Congress leader requested Shah to examine the circulated video and the complete context of the speech, and take appropriate action based on the facts and laws.

    "The Union Home Ministry has taken legal action against ULFA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. In this context, what prompted a cabinet minister to make such remarks praising the organisation, and in whose interest were these statements made?" she questioned.

    "National security should not be used as a tool for political convenience. Likewise, no individual holding public office should be above accountability for their statements," Goswami maintained.

    "In the interest of national security, democratic accountability and the preservation of peace in Assam, I urge you to intervene in this matter and ensure that a clear public statement is issued. We want to know why the minister is not being held accountable for his remarks and why no explanation has been sought from him," she added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)