Assam minister Sanjay Kishan apologises to terror outfit ULFA-I, sparks controversy

In a bizarre incident, a cabinet minister of Assam on Sunday called a press conference to apologise to proscribed terror outfit ULFA-Independent, hours after outfit issued a statement threatening to boycott him. incident has sparked a row, with many concerned citizens raising questions about minister's gesture. 

Sanjay Kishan, Minister for Tea Tribes and Employment in cabinet of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, was participating in a government event in Nagaon when reporters asked him about recent activities of terror group ULFA-I. In response, minister labelled Paresh Barua, fugitive leader of terror outfit as a liar. Taking offence, group on Friday sent an email statement to media, threatening to ban him in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and demanded an apology within 24 hours. 

(ULFA leader Paresh Barua; Im: Republic World)

Minister extends apology

minister extended apology on Sunday morning. "I was attending Gunutsov in a school in Nagaon where a journalist asked me about Paresh Barua and I, being on a busy schedule, never said anything which would have hurt Paresh Barua. I just said that under leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, if youths of Assam work for development of State, I wanted to speak about ir self-dependence and thing else. If I have hurt Hon'ble Paresh Barua, I'm hurt too," said Sanjay Kishan, in press conference. 

However, this incident has t been appreciated by many. Several senior editors have expressed concern over it, terming it as a violation of oath taken on Constitution of India as an elected representative. 

Speaking to Republic Media Network, Naba Thakuria, a senior journalist and Convener of Patriotic People's Forum Assam demanded strict action against Sanjay Kishan.

"Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma should take strict action against his minister Sanjay Kishan for apologising to a banned terrorist group. He had violated oath he took as a minister," Thakuria said. 

Patriotic People's Forum Assam also expressed concern and disappointment on role played by local media in State recently. Thakuria said, " role of local news channels and vernacular media is very disappointing. y are giving an open platform to terrorists and at times also glorifying terror groups, particularly ULFA-Independent."

"If a well-guarded minister like Kishan is afraid of a terror group and feels insecure, just imagine condition of common public," forum said. A few senior editors even opined that Sanjay Kishan should be sacked. 

Meanwhile, BJP legislator from Dibrugarh Prasanta Phukan justified act of Sanjay Kishan. Speaking to Republic Media Network, Phukan said, "re is point taking a challenge, he did good by extending an apology."

Republic Media Network tried to reach out to several opposition leaders as well. However, while everyone admitted that minister shouldn't have bowed down to a fugitive terrorist, y declined to condemn it. It may be mentioned that ULFA is responsible for killing of many scribes in past along with uncounted numbers of incent civilians as well as security forces.