First Post
FP Staff
March, 28 2017
Banned terror group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa) has asked Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to refrain from making anti-China remarks when in Assam next month. Ulfa said the Dalai Lama shouldn’t make comments that risk irking Beijing lest they cause a setback in India-China relations.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, the banned outfit’s chairman Abhijeet Asom has written an “open letter” to the spiritual leader. “If you want to visit Assam, we have a special condition. You will not make any personal or public comments against China from Assam’s soil. China and Assam are friendly neighbours who share long-standing linguistic and cultural ties. We will not tolerate it if you act as a spokesperson for Indian sentiments from Assam’s soil,” it said.
The Dalai Lama will be spending time in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where he will visit the Tawang monastery. Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who is originally from Arunachal Pradesh, is expected to accompany him. China refuses to recognise the state of Arunachal Pradesh as India’s territory, laying claim to the region on several occasions.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, reacting to the Dalai Lama’s visit, has said India was “fully aware of the seriousness of the Dalai Lama issue and the sensitivity of China-India border question”.
A report in NDTV also quoted from Ulfa’s letter to the Dalai Lama. “India has kept her nuclear arsenal ready on Assam’s soil to use against your country. In neutralising Indian military power, China is also likely to unleash an immense counter offensive which will be a disaster for Assam. Moreover, your beloved Tibet is also likely to suffer heavily from your host’s action,” it said.
Ulfa leader Paresh Baruah, who has been on Indian intelligence agencies’ radar for a long time, is reportedly said to be hiding in China, although Beijing has denied this. There have also been reports that Ulfa has training camps in Chinese territory.
