Guwahati, Nov. 27: Assam Public Works (APW), an NGO spearheading a campaign against insurgency and violence, today launched protests against the Paresh Barua-led group of Ulfa and possession of illegal arms by the group led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa which is engaged in peace talks with Dispur.

The NGO members staged a protest in front of the Dighalipukhuri and shouted slogans against Paresh Barua and condemned the recent warning of violent strikes.

“At a time when Assam was hoping for a solution of the Ulfa insurgency through political dialogue, Paresh Barua announced a new 16-member central committee and issued warning of fresh violence. We strongly condemn Barua and his autocratic attitude in the name of the movement. Barua is an infamous arms smuggler and he took control of the Ulfa group by announcing a fake name as new Ulfa chairman. This shows his autocratic attitude and intention to shed blood in the name of sovereignty. We want this drama to end,” secretary-general of the NGO, Bitu Talukdar, said.

He said though Barua named Abhizeet Bormon the new chairman of the Ulfa group, no one in the outfit or general people know him. “By announcing a fake name Barua took total control of the outfit and carries out activities according to his will,” Talukdar said.

The APW members shouted slogans against Paresh Barua and the illegal arms in the hands of the Ulfa group led by chairman Rajkhowa.

“When some Ulfa members are engaged in farming and ushering economic development, another section of the outfit is using illegal arms and carrying out syndicate raj across the state in the name of peace talks. We urge the government to immediately seize all illegal arms in possession of the pro-talks group of Ulfa. The government’s failure to do so has led to many pro-talks Ulfa members to carry out activities for the outfit without any hindrance,” adviser to the NGO, Abhijeet Sarma, said.

“People must come forward to protest insurgency, violence and force Paresh Barua to sit for talks. If we allow him to do as he wishes, there will be more disturbances and the people will have to suffer harassment in the hands of both security forces and militants. We appeal to the women of the state to come to the streets and chase away militants. Paresh Barua and illegal arms are hindrances to the process of development in Assam. Continuous public protests will definitely compel the militants to give up arms, sort out issues through peaceful means and allow the development process to move forward,” Diganta Sikdar, another member of the NGO, said.