Context: This editorial is based on the news “Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA faction” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a memorandum of settlement.

About United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)

• Genesis: It emerged from the All Assam Students Union anti-immigrant agitation that began in 1979 demanding a sovereign State for the Assamese people.  
  • A group of radical thinkers, led by Bhimakanta Buragohain, Arabinda Rajkhowa, Anup Chetia, Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain and Paresh Baruah were the main leaders.
• Objectives: To establish a sovereign Assamese nation through an armed struggle. 
• Approach: During the initial years, it projected itself to help needy people. Later, they followed a violent approach marked by kidnappings and extortion, executions and bomb blasts. 
• Government Response: In 1990, the Centre launched Operation Bajrang to tackle growing violence leading to the arrest of over 1,200 ULFA insurgents. Assam was declared a ‘disturbed area’, President’s rule was imposed, and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was invoked.

Reason for Rise of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)

• Strong Sense of Identity by the community possesses a distinctive culture and language. 
• Influx of Migrants in the 19th century led to a growing sense of insecurity.
• India’s Partition in 1947 led to the sense of insecurity. 
• The Bangladesh Liberation War led to this region’s people crossing over to India post.
• External Support: Training by ISI, issue of Illegal Passport and use of Religious Institutions to procure arms from Thailand and Myanmar by ULFA. 
• Political Factors: The AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) government reported to have remained a passive onlooker in the face of the growing ULFA terrorism. They had political compulsion and saw ULFA as their second line of defence.
  • The signing of the 1985 Assam Accord and the AGP’s electoral victory were intertwined with each other. 

Peace Pact with ULFA: A Path Towards Peace

• 2005: United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) formed an 11-member ‘People’s Consultative Group’ (PCG)and the committee mediated three rounds of talks.
• 2008: Some ULFA commanders like Arabinda Rajkhowa strive for peace talks while Paresh Baruah was opposed and was expelled from Rajkhowa outfit leading to split in ULFA. 
• 2012: The pro-talks faction submitted a 12-point charter of demands (spanning constitutional, political, financial, and cultural concerns), which was finally responded to in 2023. 
• 2023: Peace Accord between Rajkhowa’s faction and the Centre was followed, culminating in the tripartite peace agreement.  
  • One of the major key points is that 97 out of 126 Assembly seats would be reserved for indigenous people and the future delimitation exercise would follow this principle. 

Significance of the Peace Pact with ULFA

• Progress and Development: ₹1.5 lakh crore investment had been pledged in the peace accord. 
• Political Will and Implementation: A time-bound program will be made by the Home Ministry to fulfill the demands of ULFA. 
• Ensuring Peace Assam: With an aim to achieve resolution and closure. 
• Violent Groups Surrendered: As more than 9000 cadres have surrendered on record. 
• Triumph of Democratic Process: ULFA has also agreed to engage in the peaceful democratic process established by law and maintain the integrity of the country.

Challenges Still Remain

• An Incomplete Peace: The other faction known as ULFA-I led by Paresh Baruah, has not joined the peace process. ULFA-I has support of 100 cadres.
• Cross- Border Existence: ULFA has survived in some part due to help from outside India. It still has camps in Myanmar, and previously had camps in both Bangladesh and Bhutan. 
• Supporting Links: ULFA has links to other insurgent outfits in the Northeast and Myanmar, as well as Islamic terror outfits like Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, and Al-Qaeda.

Way Forward

• Fulfill Promise: Government needs to fulfill the promises made during the peace agreement, addressing the concerns and aspirations of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the affected communities.
• Complete Peace Process: Ensure a comprehensive and thorough peace process.
• Complete Integration and Assimilation: By involving rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and support for their social and economic integration.
• Ensure Continued Monitoring: To ensure that all parties adhere to their commitments.
• Neutralizing ULFA-1: Through collaboration with the Myanmar government. Diplomatic channels must be leveraged to counter any support provided to ULFA-1 by China.

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