Guwahati : Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the influence of the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), or ULFA(I), remains a reality in the state, despite its significant decline over the years.

Sarma made these remarks during a press briefing, where he highlighted the group’s continued presence and the state’s ongoing efforts to bring them to the negotiating table. “We cannot deny its impact when there are still around 400 cadres in the Myanmar camp,” Sarma noted, stating that while ULFA(I) may not be as powerful as it once was, it still poses a challenge.

“We have never claimed that ULFA(I) is absent, and we continuously urge the outfit’s leadership to engage in negotiations.” The Assam Chief Minister clarified that neither he nor Union Home Minister Amit Shah have ever stated that ULFA(I) has no presence in Assam.

Instead, they have acknowledged that the group’s influence has “definitely decreased over time”. He reiterated, “We have never officially said that ULFA(I) has no impact or influence.” Sarma also provided updates on the status of peace talks with ULFA(I).

He confirmed that dialogue with the group’s chief, Paresh Barua, has been ongoing, though he has not spoken with Barua since the last elections. “I do not call Barua, but whenever he does, I pick up the phone and talk to him,” Sarma said, adding that the discussions face obstacles due to ULFA(I)’s demand for sovereignty, which he described as “non-negotiable.”

Despite these challenges, Sarma expressed optimism about the future of the talks. “Discussions take place frequently, and we hope that there will be a breakthrough one day,” he said, while indicating that the timing of any future negotiations depends largely on Barua’s willingness.

“If I am informed that he is ready for negotiations now, I will leave everything and sit for negotiations,” he assured. The Assam Chief Minister also addressed ULFA(I)’s recent threat, in which the group claimed to have planted 24 bombs in various locations on Independence Day.

Sarma pointed out that none of these bombs exploded, which he credited to the vigilance of the state police.“The police were not sitting quiet,” he said, noting that authorities recovered 10 ‘bomb-like substances’ from different locations.

Ten cases have been filed in connection with the threat, with two of them being handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the remaining ones to be handled by state police.