Don't panic over ULFA threats, Assam's Cong members told

The ruling Congress in poll-bound Assam has asked its leaders and members in the state not to panic after they were threatened by the anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom.

 "We have told Congressmen to remain cautious. But there is nothing alarming about the threat from the anti-talks ULFA faction whose base has weakened in the state. There is no question of getting panicky, but all Congressmen should remain careful as the group will try to create trouble during polls. The threat is not going to affect our poll prospects," said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

The anti-talks faction of the ULFA, led by its fugitive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua, had threatened to target Congress leaders and disrupt their election meetings.

The ULFA faction wants to 'punish' the party leaders for 'creating divisions' in the insurgent outfit to facilitate peace talks. ULFA militants have warned people to stay away from Congress poll meetings to avoid getting into trouble.

Pointing out that the anti-talks faction of ULFA has threatened only Congress leaders, Gogoi hinted that the outfit may be helping the party's opponents.

Gogoi categorically stated that the Congress will not seek any help from the nearly 400 ULFA leaders who have agreed to participate in peace talks with the Centre.

"We are not going to take any help from those pro-talks ULFA militants as feared by a section of the people. They will be provided with some sort of shelter in view of the peace process, but there is no question of using them during the elections," he said.