Assam CM Gogoi invites ULFA chief to join politics

GUWAHATI - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday invited United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa to join politics, saying that let him serve people through politics.

“Let Rajkhowa join politics if he wants to serve people,” Times Now quoted Gogoi, as saying.

Gogoi’s comments follow the verdict of the TADA court here, which granted bail to him in view of the state government’s decision not to oppose his bail application as a part of the government’s policy to take the peace process forward.

The banned ULFA chairman is likely to be released from jail on Friday, a year since his arrest after being nabbed by Bangladesh security agencies and handed over to Indian authorities.

The special TADA court, which heard his bail plea today, had deferred the hearing thrice earlier, as the court had sought reports from the home and political department in this regard.

Most top ULFA leaders including ULFA ideologue Bhimakanta Buragohain, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and deputy commander-in-chief Raju Barua have been already released on bail. (ANI)