The winding down of a 32-year-long low-grade armed struggle in Assam is on course. Following the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by United Liberation Front of Asom chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, the central government and the Assam government have signed a ‘suspension of operations' agreement with ULFA — what has been termed a “gentleman's agreement.” This is the first time ULFA has signed an agreement with any government and the expectation is that a substantive political dialogue will follow soon. ULFA's pragmatic approach, especially with regard to its longstanding but clearly untenable demand for “sovereignty” for Assam, has to be appreciated — even if it is clear that a combination of circumstances seemed to give it little choice. The central government's calibrated approach over the past few years was aided in no small measure by the tenacity, patience, and resolve shown by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who has led the State imaginatively over the past decade. The talking process took off once Mr. Rajkhowa and his associates landed in Indian custody, after being apprehended by the Bangladesh security forces: for this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to be given full credit.
Nevertheless, the peace process remains under the shadow of an unrelenting Paresh Barua, ULFA's ‘commander-in-chief' who is believed to be based, along with some cadres, in the unruly international border between Myanmar and China. However insignificant the threat they hold out may seem at this point, these elements will need to be brought round, or overcome. Trans-border linkages have aided and abetted militancy in the region for too long. The government also needs to be wary of a host of other insurgent groups in Assam and elsewhere in the region who may be biding their time; this calls for vigilance against opportunistic terror but also the avoidance of overreaction. Genuine reconciliation will require a far-sighted strategy of taking everyone along by ensuring the region's development, more effective legal protection for Assam's indigenous people, and generous leeway over issues of land and resources. The early efforts at rehabilitating some 600 ULFA cadre in special camps known as “Nabanirman Kendras” augur well for the process — although the militants' refusal to turn in their weapons does pose a problem. The agenda for the talks between ULFA and the central and State governments needs to be worked out meticulously — with due weight given to the popular perception that persistent under-development in the face of the region's rich resources is the outcome of a policy of discrimination and facilitating exploitation by outsiders. The best chance yet for enduring peace in Assam must not be squandered.
Keywords: ULFA, Assam, terrorism issues, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Arabinda Rajkhowa, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Assam has much to offer to India and its Northeastern region. Its development can create linkages with the rest of the eastern India as it is centrally located. ULFA coming to the table is commendable and should be thoroughly appreciated in line with the issue of national sovereignty. However, there have been relentless crime committed by them especially killing the people from Hindi belt especially from Bihar who are seen as the softest of the target as they are hard working people and end up at these places to make some living. Any reconciliation with the ULFA should have the martyrdom done by these people who have died on the politics of hate. Apart from that ample opportunities exist for the ULFA cadres to be incorporated into the mainstream development processes but not before paying for the crimes which they have committed by killing hundreds of innocent people.
This is an unprecedented occasion in the history of Assam. The life in Assam should return to normalcy. The improved bilateral relations with Bangladesh has paid off and for this, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina deserves special praise. The situation has improved but the government should be alert in checking any unwanted burst of anger by some unruly elements.The people and the govt would have to work hand in hand to uphold the peace and prosperity of Assam
The timely,tactful trial to transcend Asssam to a heaven deserves
appreciation.The main tact in this regard would be to fulfill the
present aspirations and expectations of Assam.
Your comment "The talking process took off once Mr. Rajkhowa and his associates landed in Indian custody, after being apprehended by the Bangladesh security forces", gets to the essence. Without external support much of ULFA collapsed within a few months. ULFA is by no means an isolated example. Externally we had the spectacle of Ghulam Nabi Fai, who claimed to represent Kashmiris while actually working for the ISI; and we have Khalistanis who have never lived in India yet claim to speak for all Sikhs. Internally in India there are Naxalites, many of whom are simply thugs, but claim to speak for tribals; and defenders of human rights with not a whit of interest in the human rights of people who they regard as "oppressors".
We now have a system where the ability to create disruption garners legitimacy for groups whose values are inimical to openness and democratic dialog.
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