Paresh Baruah told me he is interested in talks

ON APRIL 7, 1979, six people gathered at Rang Ghar—a historical monument built by the Ahom kings in Rangpur—and decided to take up arms to fight against the “foreign” influx threatening to devour the Assamese identity.

- NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

Anup Chetia, general secretary, ULFA

The name United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was coined at this meeting. It motivated a young Anup Chetia to get on a motorbike and travel across Assam to persuade young people to join ULFA. It grew quickly to become the deadliest insurgent group in Assam. The cycle of violence has been broken as ULFA leaders like Chetia have decided to disband the organisation. Speaking exclusively with THE WEEK, Chetia explains how he is trying to convince Paresh Baruah of ULFA (Independent), who is hiding in China, to honour the will of the people and join the peace process. Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ It is said that you went around with Paresh Baruah in the 1980s on a motorbike spreading awareness about ULFA’s goal.

A/ Those days Baruah was in Burma and I was in Assam most of the time. I purchased a red motorbike in 1985 and travelled across Assam to tell people about ULFA and motivated them to participate. I organised most of the cadres in this manner.

Q/ What was the need for an armed movement?

A/ At that time, the Assam agitation was going on. The Indian government made blunders by not recognising that the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh was not limited to Assam and could become a problem for the entire country. The All Assam Students’ Union and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad had begun a nonviolent struggle, but the government did not respect this democratic movement. Hence, we decided to go for an armed revolution. The people of Assam had lost faith in the government, which led them to support us.

Q/ Can you tell us about your escape to Bangladesh?