Giving up the demand of ‘Independent Assam´, the ULFA pro-talk faction today submitted a charter of demands to the prime minister demanding “full autonomy” to Assam within the constitutional framework, and said it would return to arms struggle if the Centre failed to “discharge its responsibilities”.
“We sincerely believe that full autonomy to the state can be the only solution to the Assam India conflict. It will remove the fear and insecurity from the minds of the indigenous people and provide safeguards to land, language, economy and right of self-determination”, the charter said.
ULFA (pro-talk) central committee chairman Mrinal Hazarika after submitting the 18 point charter of demands through Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, told reporters in Guwahati, “full autonomy will reduce the resentment towards the Indian government and will help refrain them (ULFA) from hostile activities”.
“After 29 years of revolutionary experience, looking at political and economic situation, continuous threat from the neighbouring countries surrounding Assam, age-old religious and cultural ties with the Indian people, possible terrorist attacks in Assam by anti-Indian religious fundamentalist groups, we believe it (sovereignty demand) is not a reality”, Hazarika quoted his memorandum to the prime minister.