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April 4, 2001

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'SULFA not part of any political party'

Nitin Gogoi in Guwahati

An organisation of surrendered militants from the United Liberation Front of Asom (collectively known as SULFA, "s" for surrendered) on Thursday clarified that it is not part of any political party.

At a press conference, former ULFA publicity chief Sunil Nath said the Asom Jatiya Mahasabha, formed mainly by former militants, is not part of any political party. "Most of us (former ULFA members) are members of the newly-formed AJM, and our office bearers are debarred from contesting elections or taking active part in it," Nath said. Nath, as Siddhartha Phukan, was the central spokesman and publicity secretary of the ULFA till he surrendered in 1992.

Clarifying some questions raised by political parties including the Congress, Nath said that the mahasabha was non-political and its members were engaged in economic activities like agriculture and business.

Nath, along with other former ULFA leaders Lohit Deuri and Kalpajyoti Neog, said they were aware that at least two former ULFA members have applied for Congress nominations to contest the elections.

"They are former armed wing deputy chief Chakra Gohain and former Lakhimpur district commander Prafulla Bora alias Dhekial Phukan," Nath said. Both, he said, were not members of the AJM.

The Congress had raised the spectre of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad using the SULFA to rig the ensuing Assam assembly elections.

He also described as undemocratic a Congress demand to the Election Commission that their arms be seized before the elections. "All arms owned by SULFA members are legal and licenced, and nobody can seize them under the law," the former militant leader said.

When asked about the 300 former ULFA members who had joined the AGP a few months ago, Nath said, "We have nothing to say about them. It is their democratic right. After all, those who have quit the ULFA have taken oath to lead a lawful and peaceful life."

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