Ravi Shankar’s pat for Sarma on rebel talks

Guwahati: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Sunday heaped praise on Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing scores of militant outfits to the discussion table, calling him a team leader of the northeast.
Ravi Shankar was in Kaziranga to attend the Chintan Shivir organised by the state government for ministers and senior bureaucrats. About seven years ago, the spiritual leader attempted to persuade anti-talks faction Ulfa leader Paresh Baruah for talks and spoke to the underground militant leader over phone, urging him to join the peace process with the Centre.
Since 2005, Ravi Shankar has spoken to Baruah multiple times but the efforts could not bring him to the negotiation table. The logjam continued even after Sarma, soon after assuming the charge of chief minister last year, personally urged Baruah to join peace talks.
“Only if we talk, many people become ready to give up their arms and join the mainstream. Now our government is so open (for talks) and Himanta ji has done a commendable job in bringing militancy down and people together,” Ravi Shankar said.