The banned United Liberation Front of Asom has issued a veiled threat to the ruling Congress party and its members in response to the resumption of army operation in Assam in the wake of the deadlock in the peace initiative to facilitate direct talks between the militant group and the government of India.
In the editorial of the latest edition of its monthly mouthpiece, Freedom, the militant group alleged that the Congress government had enacted the drama of peace initiative to facilitate smooth Assembly elections and peaceful celebrations of 'Indian Independence Day' in Assam.
"After achieving its goals -- peaceful Assembly polls and Independence Day celebration -- the ruling Congress has now turned its back to the peace process blaming the ULFA for the deadlock in the process," the editorial in the Freedom said.
The banned militant group held the ruling Congress party responsible for resumption of army operation in Assam and warned of retaliation against the Congress party and its members in the state.
The ULFA warned that Congress party and families of Congressmen in Assam should be ready to face the backlash of an intensified army operation in the state.
The banned militant group also warned of dire consequences to police officials involved in killing of unarmed ULFA members and committing atrocities on innocent people.
Regarding the pullout of its negotiators in the People's Consultative Group from talks with the government of India, the ULFA termed the PCG's decision to pull out of talks as justified as it was a demonstration of protest to 'unwarranted precondition' put by the government of India for release of five senior ULFA leaders from jail.
By precondition, the ULFA referred to the 'letter of commitment' for direct talks sought by the government from the militant group.
The militant group, however, said that the PCG would remain relevant in the peace process and said that the negotiators had only decided not to talk with the government of India.
"Any future communication from the government of India will be acceptable to ULFA provided it is routed through the PCG," the ULFA said.
The militant group criticised Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for trying to make light of the PCG decision to pull out from talks.
Gogoi had termed the PCG pullout only a 'minor hiccup' and hoped that the peace process would continue despite the PCG decision to stay away from talks.
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