ULFA warns Naga 'aggressors'

Assam's insurgent outfit ULFA Monday asked 'aggressors' from Nagaland to withdraw from the state and sought a clarification from the Naga leadership on attacks in Assam's Golaghat district that left at least 11 people dead.

In a statement issued by Abhizeet Asom, chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) faction opposed to peace talks asked Naga leaders to address the issue as a "matter of urgency".

The ULFA said the Naga leadership must explain without ambiguity why such a horrific incident could take place leading to loss of lives of innocent citizens of Assam.

Naga militant outfits - supposed to be observing ceasefire - opened fire in Uriamghat in Golaghat district on Aug 12. Over 100 houses were burnt by the assailants, forcing about 10,000 people to take shelter in relief camps. Eight villages were affected in the violence.

"It is with greatest of anxiety and horror on the unfolding of the massacre of people of Assam at Uriamghat, a bordering area of our respective nations, I, as the executive head of the ULFA, implore the Naga leadership to explain without ambiguity why such a horrific conflict could take place leading to loss of lives of innocent citizens of Assam," the ULFA chairman said.

He demanded that the Naga leaders rein in their "erring citizens" and issue a clarification on the "cross border atrocities" perpetrated by "Naga bandits".

The ULFA leader appealed to the Naga "aggressors" to withdraw from Assam's soil with immediate effect.