ULFA withdraws Games boycott call after sports fraternity appeal

Guwahati, Feb 5 (UNI) The proscribed ULFA today withdrew the boycott call of the National Games, four days before it kicks off, in response to fervent appeals by sports personalities of Asom.

Ending a month-long suspense, United Liberation Front of Asom chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa stated in an e-mail that the decision was taken in response to an appeal issued by some of Asom's most loved and respected sportspersons.

He, however, added, ''The colonial rulers of India will not be allowed to stage any other event in Asom (after the National Games) till the political conflict is resolved.'' Leading sportspersons of the state, including footballer Gilbertson Sangma and Babul Barua, athletes Bhogeshwar Barua and Tybenussia, had issued a statement yesterday, urging the ULFA chairman to withdraw the boycott in the greater interest of the state and the sports fraternity. They had said any disruptive move during the Games would tarnish Asom's image and appealed to the ULFA to call off the boycott.

The announcement by the outfit led to jubilation in the state with everyone welcoming ULFA's latest decision.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also welcomed the withdrawal. He had said yesterday that the intelligence had inputs of possible ULFA strikes during the Games. ''I have reports as of today that the ULFA will try to disrupt the Games,'' he had said.

The withdrawal announcement would bring some degree of respite to the security agencies as they had been kept on their toes by the ULFA threat.

Repeated blasts in the city, including yesterday's car bomb, and recovery of explosives near the Games' main venue had put extra pressure on the security pesonnel.

However, despite the withdrawal announcement, security is not likely to be relaxed as the Games would see the convergence of 10,000 players and officials, besides spectators.

Uncertainty had loomed large over the smooth and safe conduct of the 10-day event after the ULFA had threatened to disrupt the sporting festival. They had warned the players to keep out of the Games for their own safety.

However, the ULFA later softened its stand to some extent by demanding release the of five of their top jailed leaders or renaming of the Games as 'Assam Sports Festival' after a public outcry against the boycott. Now that the militant threat has been withdrawn, the weather gods are keeping the organizers on their toes.

Unseasonal heavy rain for the past three days along with icy winds have created havoc in the preparation of the Games even as the athletes are trickling in from throughout the country.

The National Games officials are keeping their finger crossed but the Met office is predicting more rain in the next three days.

There are reports of water logging from almost all the venues with maximum damage to the boxing ring, besides damage to temporary gates, which have been erected to welcome the athletes.

The Met office is predicting a clear weather only on the opening day, which is four days from now.

Meanwhile, the organizers are running against time to complete the preparation amidst reports of chaos and confusion from almost all sporting complexes.

The athletes are temporarily lodged in the Guwahati circuit house as some problem has cropped up in the Games Village. Punjab and Karnataka teams have arrived and most of the athletes will be reaching by tomorrow.

The rehearsals for the opening ceremony has been disturbed by the weather while complete confusion prevails amongst the school children who are supposed to take part in the opening ceremony.

UNI