Skip to content Skip to navigation

ULFA(I) lashes out at Ravi Shankar

x

Error message

  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaAnswer in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Undefined index: DraggableCaptchaCodes in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in draggable_captcha_generate_refresh() (line 197 of /home/assam1/web/assamtimes.org/public_html/sites/all/modules/draggable_captcha/draggable_captcha.module).

The United Liberation Front of Asom (I) had strongly criticized Ravi Shankar a day after the spiritual leader urged the north eastern rebels to shun the path of violence and offered to broker peace between the rebels and the government. In a hard hitting statement, ULFA(I) military head Paresh Baruah said he and his organization won't buy the word rehabilitation and that ULFA(I) would continue the struggle till it achieved the goal. We are leaving for our visitors the full text of the letter.


Major General Paresh Asom


Vice Chairman cum Chief of Staff United Liberation Front of Asom [Independent] United Liberation Force of Asom [Independent]


Dated‐08‐09‐2017


To


Mr. Ravi Shankar
Spiritual Leader of India


Your holiness Ravi Shankar,


Respected Spiritual Leader of India Mr. Ravi Shankar on behalf of United Liberation Front of Asom [ULFA‐Independent], I would like to address the issues you have discussed during your press briefing. Firstly the independence of sovereign Asom is the birth right of all indigenous people. A few terms you used in your briefing deeply offended our ideologies.


First of all word ‘rehabilitation’ is strong word to use against our ideologies and principles. Our arms struggle for a sovereign Assam does not need any form of rehabilitation, demanding our mother land which was forcefully occupied by Indian colonists is not an illness or a crime. We have repeatedly shared our concerns about your proposal of peace talks, we released multiple statements stating that we do not want to participate in any forms of peace talks unless the government of India is willing to take the independence of Assam into consideration and practice it in their constitution.


You have repeatedly asked us to join in the false, biased and ridiculous peace talks held by the Indian government. We would like decline your request again to join the ‘mainstream’ peace talks because we only follow the revolutionary stream that will lead to an Independent Asom.


You have raised concerns over our arms struggle, we have picked up arms in order to protect ourselves not to threaten any individual or sovereign nation. Our struggles would not have gained recognition from the colonial government of India or the world if we did not pick up arms for the independence of mother Asom. Our struggles will continue until our ultimate goal is achieved, I urge you not to ask us to lay down our arms in hope of your empty promises. I suggest you to stick to your pretentious religion and let us continue our journey to freedom. I wish you a wealthy, healthy and a very peaceful life.


[Major General Paresh Asom]
Vice Chairman cum Chief of Staff
United Liberation Front of Asom [Independent] 

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

TURA, Meghalaya – March 11, 2026: Tensions surrounding the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), scheduled for April 10, have triggered violent clashes in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The unrest has also resulted in widespread vandalism and arson in several areas of the district. The tensions stem from a controversial notification requiring candidates contesting the council elections to possess valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate documentation. The rule has effectively prevented many non-tribal residents—particularly Bengali-speaking Muslims living in the plains belt areas such as...
North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a grassroots development organisation based in Jorhat working with people’s struggles and community development initiatives, observed International Women’s Day at Chumoni Chapori village under the Jhanjimukh area in Jorhat district on Sunday, bringing together local women, community leaders and youth to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in society. The programme was organized with the participation of women from riverine communities who shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations for greater social and economic empowerment. The event focused on raising awareness about women’s rights, gender equality and...
A significant milestone for literature from Northeast India has been marked with the publication of The Yellow Metaphor, a collection of poems by Assamese poet Jiban Narah, now released by Penguin Random House India. The book is a translated anthology of Narah’s poetry and is considered a rare achievement for the region. It is reportedly the first translated poetry collection by a single poet from Northeast India to be published by Penguin, and among only a handful of works in a regional Indian language to receive such recognition from the global publishing house. The Yellow Metaphor brings together 99 selected poems written over a span of 33 years, reflecting Narah’s long poetic...
Sivasagar, March 6: A meeting of organisations associated with the religious and intellectual affairs of the Tai-Ahom community was held on Thursday (March 5) at the public auditorium of Bakata Parijat Panchayat in Sivasagar district. The meeting was chaired by Jibeshwar Mohan Deva, founding principal of Tingkhang College. Several prominent personalities attended the meeting, including Manaranjan Baruah, president of the Mohan-Deodhai-Bailung Sanmilan; Vidya Phukan, president of the Mohan-Deodhai-Bailung Pandit Parishad; former president of Phra-Lung-Moung Assam Golap Gohain; secretary Pranjal Mohan; noted Tai cultural researcher Kamal Jyoti Mohan; Tai-Ahom scholar Nripen Mohan;...
Guwahati, Feb 28: The Assam government’s decision to seek a 5 per cent stake in Oil India Limited (OIL) has triggered discussion on the State’s long-term approach to the oil and gas sector in the Northeast. The proposal, under which Assam has sought a minority share in OIL — where the Government of India holds 56 per cent — will be examined by the Centre, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the State is extending full cooperation to oil sector companies and urged that shares be allocated to Assam to support smoother functioning and stronger coordination. Reacting to the development, Shantikam Hazarika — former Chairman of...
New Delhi, March 1: Concerns have been raised over the national HPV vaccination campaign launched on February 28, 2026, with a citizen questioning its scientific basis, operational preparedness, and public health prioritisation. In a public statement, Donthi N. Reddy said that not a single state has published baseline data on cervical cancer incidence or HPV prevalence prior to the rollout. Without such baseline indicators, he argued, outcomes cannot be measured, and without measurable outcomes, the reported annual expenditure of ₹1,300 crore cannot be properly evaluated. The campaign involves administration of the HPV vaccine Gardasil-4 to 14-year-old girls across the country, aiming...
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a grassroots civil society organisation based in Jorhat, Assam, participated in the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) from 24–27 February, 2026, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of NEADS, represented the organisation at the Forum. He also participated in his capacity as the Constituency Focal Point for People Affected by Conflicts and Disasters and as a Regional Coordinating Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM). During...
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday submitted a detailed “Chargesheet 2026” against the BJP-led Assam government, symbolically placing it before what it termed the “People’s Court of Assam.” The chargesheet targets the government headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, covering the period from May 10, 2021 to February 18, 2026. In a press briefing in Guwahati, APCC leaders alleged large-scale corruption, economic mismanagement, constitutional violations, and failure to protect the rights of indigenous communities. The document lists 20 major charges, including the alleged operation of a “syndicate raj,” accumulation of illegal wealth, rising public debt, and...
Shillong, February 16, 2026: The death toll in the devastating explosion at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills has risen to 33, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma confirmed on Monday during a suo-motu statement in the State Assembly. The tragedy occurred on the morning of February 5 in the remote Mynsngat-Thangsko area, where an illegal “rat-hole” coal mine reportedly exploded, allegedly due to the unauthorized use of explosives inside narrow underground tunnels. The incident has triggered widespread outrage and prompted the state government to constitute a high-level Judicial Commission of Inquiry.   Initial rescue operations carried out by the NDRF, SDRF and...
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday launched a sharp counter-offensive against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling the much-hyped SIT report a “super flop” and accusing the CM of staging six months of political drama to divert attention from land and corruption allegations. Addressing a packed press conference at Rajiv Bhawan, Gogoi said the Chief Minister had kept the SIT report for six months, only to unveil it through a “manufactured spectacle” involving national media, which ultimately failed to produce a single piece of evidence against him. “He swung a mace in the air, but there was nothing in his hands,” Gogoi said. Flanked by MPs...