SULFA not to take sides in polls

GUWAHATI, April 5: The Asom Jatiya Mahasabha - an organisation of surrendered ULFA (SULFA) militants, today clarified that the association was not in league with any political party and said that the organisation is concerned only about boosting the 'economic development' of the State. Speaking to media persons here this afternoon, Sunil Nath, member of the steering committee of the association, said that the Mahasabha was a purely "non-political" organisation, and if any member of it was an active member of the any political party he would have to resign from any post in the district as well as central level of the organisation. Terming the poll boycott call from ULFA as a "foolish stand", Nath said that the Mahasabha would not officially favour any political party or candidate. Admitting that there were more than 7,000 surrendered militants in the State from all the banned outfits, he added that the majority of them of about 5,000 belongs to the ULFA. Nath, however, failed to give the exact number of membership it enjoyed throughout the state. He also said that quite a few surrendered ULFA men are not yet members of the Mahasabha, but added that the majority of the SULFAs have become its members. The Mahasabha would celebrate April 7 as 'Anti-terrorism day' with a mass meeting from 3 p.m. at the playground of the Assam Engineering Institute on April 7. Efforts would be on for roping in representatives from several ethnic group of the State for participating in this meeting, Nath said.