Insurgency in Assam
Deep Bora
An old friend of Bewildering Stories relays news about the current vicissitudes in armed conflict in his home state of Assam.
Anti militancy and peace process in Assam state took a setback as a spate of bombings in markets and other crowded places in Assam resumed after a brief lull. In the Kumarikata Market explosion on June 29th — presumably from a bomb kept on a bicycle — the death toll was about 5 and injured numbered about 69. A red alert has been declared along the Indo-Bhutan border. Earlier, a bomb explosion occurred in Nowgaon town. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the explosions.
One could experience the usual security checkpoints at every sensitive location in the city as central (federal) forces took up positions and vigorous checking of vehicles and persons resumed after a few eventful days. Needless to say, the Indian Army is fully prepared with counter-insurgency operations and measures though they have not yet started patrolling the city. Elsewhere in the state, particularly in the rural areas, and other towns, anti-militancy operations were in full swing.
Indian Army sources state that for suspension of the ongoing army operations in the state, a formal cease fire agreement has got to be signed between the militants and the Government. Again, according to conditions laid down by the Unified Command, the militants who want to enter into a cease-fire agreement must all stay in designated camps after signing such agreements and deposit their weapons. Sources also state they have received no communication from the state authorities about suspension of counter-insurgency measures. In effect, the army operations are going on against ULFA.
It all began when a few leaders of the banned secessionist United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) declared a unilateral cease-fire with the Government. The leaders primarily headed the 28th. battalion of ULFA’s A and C companies.
The truce was welcomed heartily by the Central Govt. (Federal Govt.) and the Assam State Govt. and in a series of interviews of people representing a broad section of the society, an anticipation favouring peace in the state was thought to be on the anvil.
The chief minister of Assam state, Tarun Gogoi, hailed the move as a welcome decision and encouraged the other militants ‘to come forward for peaceful talks with the government of India within the framework of the Indian constitution.’ He hailed the recent move a step in the right direction. He stated ‘he was happy that more ULFA cadres and members of more insurgent outfits were realizing armed struggle has retarded the growth of Assam’.
The two aforesaid militant battalion leaders, formally protected by their armed bodyguards, conducted a meeting with video coverage and expressed their desire to commence a cease-fire situation, which they stated had begun on 24th. June 2008. The meeting took place in an undisclosed location in Upper Assam, presumably in the fields. All the television channels in India displayed the video footage.
Yet again, in other interviews, earlier surrendered cadres of the outfit — now returned to the mainstream of usual life — expressed their doubts about the reality of the cease-fire, for some stated that the outfit would bring in more cadres to the particular battalion.
The military chief of the outfit — whose whereabouts are not officially known — declared that they were willing to sit for talks with the central government only if the sovereignty issue were included. ULFA disbanded the leaders of the 28th. battalion — who had declared the cease fire and has appointed another person as in charge of the battalion, according to a press release.
Rescue and relief measures are on in nursing homes and hospitals to help the injured people while the dead are being identified.
The outfit began its existence in 1979. However, the Indian Government is not unduly perturbed and has refused to negotiate with them if they persist with the idea of secessionism as the central formulation and basis for peace talks. ULFA, on the other hand has reiterated its stand on secessionism from India and rejects an offer for peace talks without the consideration of a separate homeland.
In a stalemate situation like this little progress has been made from both sides as far as peace restoration in the state is concerned. However, heartening as it may sound, the outfit had nominated certain people from the general society in Assam — journalists, writers, advocates, etc. — to represent them at the Federal Government level in New Delhi. This group of people has named their organization as P.C.G. and has had several sorties with the central government in the past few years, but nothing concrete has been achieved till date indicating restoration of peace in the state.
Copyright © 2008 by Deep Bora
Thank you for the news, Deep, and we hope you’re safely out of harm’s way. Can you tell us more in detail who comprises ULFA and why the group is determined to secede from India? In general, what is ULFA’s point of view?
Don
