Tuesday, December 21 2004 17:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tinsukia (Assam): ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) commander-in-chief colonel' Paresh Barua's mother Miliki Barua has expressed concern at the announcement by the proscribed outfit's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa that her son had taken seriously ill.

Talking to reporters in Tinsukia yesterday (Dec 20, 2004), Paresh's septuagenarian mother said that she along with her two other sons, relatives and the people of her village Jeraigaon were worried about Barua's health.

She noted with alarm that Rajkhowa had abruptly taken charge of the ULFA by communicating with the media directly when her son was doing so all this while.

Stating earlier there were reports several times about the death of Paresh in Bangladesh, Barua said that she was told there were rumours let loose by the State machinery.

ULFA chairman Rajkhowa had on Dec 17, 2004 via an e-mail to a section of the local media suddenly announced that Paresh had suddenly taken ill and had to be removed to a 'safer place' to undergo surgical operation.

Rajkhowa also said that Paresh would not be in a position to remain in contact with Jnanpith awardee Dr Indira Roisam Goswami on the proposed peace talks between ULFA and the Centre, or the media, various organisations and intellectuals.

The intelligence agencies and the State authorities have viewed 'moderate' Rajkhowa's sudden announcement about his military wing's 'hardliner' c-in-c's inability to communicate as efforts of the ULFA's civil wing to take charge of the organisation and the peace talks.