TAG: GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY
THE CONTEXT: The pro-talks faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a tripartite peace deal with the Indian government and the Assam government in December 2023.
EXPLANATION:
- This memorandum of settlement entails various provisions, including renouncing violence, disarming, disbanding armed activities, vacating occupied camps, and participating in democratic processes.
- The agreement emphasizes Assam’s development with an investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore.
- It also addresses political demands, boundary disputes, and the representation of indigenous communities in the Assam Assembly.
Formation of ULFA and Its Objectives
- The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) emerged as a consequence of the Assam Agitation that started in 1979, culminating in the Assam Accord of August 1985.
- The fear of indigenous communities in Assam being displaced by “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh sparked this movement.
- While social organizations and students protested, a faction of radicals including Arabinda Rajkhowa, Anup Chetia, and Paresh Baruah formed the ULFA on April 7, 1979.
- The group aimed to establish a sovereign Assam and engaged in an armed struggle, undergoing training in countries like Myanmar, China, and Pakistan.
The Journey of Conflict and Insurgency
- ULFA’s militant activities included abductions and executions, prompting a government response with Operation Bajrang in 1990, leading to the group’s ban. Assam was declared a disturbed area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
- Counter-insurgency operations led to the arrest of many ULFA members in the early 1990s.
- Some ULFA members surrendered in 1992, forming the Surrendered ULFA (SULFA), but allegations surfaced of their involvement in “secret killings.”
- Meanwhile, ULFA hardliners collaborated with external terror groups and sought refuge in Bangladesh and Bhutan, facing military action in 2003 and 2009, respectively.
Ups and Downs in Peace Initiatives
- The ULFA vacillated between peace initiatives and renewed violence. It formed a People’s Consultative Group in 2005, signaling a willingness for peace, but later reverted to insurgent activities.
- In 2009, the Rajkhowa-led faction signed a ceasefire with the Indian government, while the anti-talks faction, led by Paresh Baruah, remained opposed to negotiations, resulting in a split within ULFA.
- The anti-talks group renamed itself ULFA (Independent) in 2013.
Challenges Ahead
- Despite the signing of the accord, challenges remain due to the presence of the anti-talks faction led by Paresh Baruah, operating from hideouts in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division.
- Baruah insists on discussing Assam’s sovereignty, which the government rejects, emphasizing Assam’s commitment to India.
- The government aims to convince Baruah for negotiations while acknowledging that peace remains incomplete without his group’s participation.
Conclusion
- The peace pact with the ULFA’s pro-talks faction marks a significant step towards resolving Assam’s prolonged insurgency.
- However, challenges persist with the presence of the anti-talks faction led by Paresh Baruah.
- The success of the agreement hinges on the government’s commitment to implementation and its ability to engage with the remaining insurgent faction to achieve lasting peace in Assam.