Paresh Baruah announces suspension of 'extreme punishment' decision

GUWAHATI: The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) (I) today said it has suspended its decision to take "extreme punishment" against the abducted oil company employees for the time being.

Talking to Gauhati Press Club secretary Sanjay Ray over telephone at the press club premises this evening, ULFA (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah said the decision to suspend its next step has been taken honouring appeals from the civil society as well as the media.

"Baruah also said that a section of the media has misinterpreted the meaning of extreme punishment the armed outfit had threatened and said the ULFA (I) and NSCN were open to further discussion over the matter," said Ray.

ALSO READ: Paresh Baruah gives a last chance to save the Quippo employees

The announcement has brought in a fresh lease of life to the two Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Ltd employees -- Pranab Kr Gogoi and Ram Kumar.

"Baruah, however, did not state clearly with whom the outfits would like to talk to. But, it can be assumed that they are ready for negotiation with the oil company as well as the government," Ray added.

The ULFA (I) had in a recent statement to the media stated that the talks with Quippo had failed and that the outfit would give "extreme punishment" to the abducted employees next week.