ULFA Group and Governments Make Peace After 44 Years
In a big change, a part of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, agreed to peace with the central and Assam governments. This important agreement means they promise not to use violence, give up all weapons, end their group, and actively join the democratic process.
Origin of ULFA: ULFA’s Beginning and Assam’s Tough Past
Looking into the past, people in Assam have their own unique culture. In the 1800s, more people came to Assam for work in tea, coal, and oil, making the locals feel uneasy. This feeling got worse after the Partition and many refugees came from East Pakistan. The competition for resources grew, leading to a six-year-long movement. The Assam Accord in 1985 aimed to solve the issue of foreigners, but a radical group formed ULFA in 1979.
A Long Fight: ULFA’s Battle and How India Reacted
For more than 44 years, ULFA founders fought for a separate Assamese nation, involving kidnappings, threats, executions, and bombings. The Indian government responded with actions like Operation Bajrang in 1990, putting Assam under President’s rule and using the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Internal problems in ULFA and claims of government support kept the group going.
ULFA’s Friends Worldwide: Connections Outside India
ULFA survived with help from outside, having camps in Myanmar and old bases in Bangladesh and Bhutan. They were linked to other rebel groups in Northeast India and Myanmar, as well as Islamic terror groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and Al-Qaeda. Reports even say ULFA’s military chief, Paresh Baruah, met Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Complicated Peace Talks: From Discussions to Divisions in ULFA
In 2005, ULFA formed a group called the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) to talk. Talks broke down, and terror started again. Some ULFA leaders, like Arabinda Rajkhowa, tried for peace talks in 2008. Paresh Baruah opposed talks and expelled Rajkhowa in 2012. This caused a big split in ULFA. The majority joined peace talks, presenting 12 demands in 2012, leading to the recent peace agreement.
What Comes Next? Looking at the Impact and Challenges
Assam sees a big peace deal, but people wonder if it will work and if the government is serious. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to talk to the anti-talk group, but Paresh Baruah still wants Assam to be separate. After signing the agreement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is confident that a “complete solution” has been found, calling it the start of a peaceful era for Assam.
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