Ending decades of insurgency, the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signs a historic peace accord with the central and Assam governments, pledging to abandon violence and embrace the democratic process.
In a significant development, the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) officially inked a peace accord on Friday with both the central and Assam governments. The agreement marks a crucial milestone as the ULFA commits to forsake violence, dissolve the organization, and actively participate in the democratic process.
Present at the signing ceremony in the company of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the historic nature of the event, acknowledging the prolonged suffering of the people of Assam due to ULFA's violence, which claimed the lives of 10,000 individuals since 1979. Shah highlighted that the ULFA, being the oldest insurgent group in Assam, has now pledged to renounce violence, disband, and embrace democratic principles.
As a part of the accord, a substantial development package has been promised to Assam, and Shah assured that every clause of the agreement would be diligently implemented. The Home Minister also shared positive statistics, noting a significant reduction in violence, deaths, and kidnappings in Assam since the talks began.
Terming the accord as "historic," Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed its success to the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. This landmark agreement comes after 12 years of unconditional negotiations between the ULFA faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa and the government.
While the peace pact is anticipated to bring an end to the decades-long insurgency in Assam, it is noteworthy that the hardline faction of ULFA, led by Paresh Baruah, has not joined the agreement. Baruah is reportedly situated along the China-Myanmar border. The ULFA, originating in 1979 with the demand for a "sovereign Assam," has been involved in subversive activities, leading to its declaration as a banned outfit by the central government in 1990.
The Rajkhowa faction initiated peace talks with the government on September 3, 2011, following the signing of an agreement for the Suspension of Operations (SoO) between the ULFA, central, and state governments.