Guwahati:
A day after United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) released a still picture of its elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, a video has been distributed to media houses today.
This is a rare footage for an outfit which has never revealed the look of its top man or distributed video of its camps and cadres.
In the video, armed ULFA cadres are seen dancing to Bihu songs in their camp in Burma. Baruah is seen tapping his feet as well. Not just Bihu celebration, Baruah and his cadres are seen shouting slogans for a sovereign Assam, something ULFA has been fighting for thirty-one years.
The photograph that was released by Baruah himself via an e-mail yesterday shows him posing with his cadres in a show of strength from a hideout in Burma.
Baruah's decision to reveal his looks is not accidental. It comes at a time when the Government of India is about to sit for formal peace talks with the leaders of ULFA who have been released on bail to facilitate dialogue.
His colleagues who agreed to give up arms have invited him to join the talks but have stated that talks can be held even without him.
This video is being seen as Baruah sending a clear signal that he still matters, daring the Indian government which claims to have isolated him.