Editorial of the Day (30 Dec): ULFA Peace Accord

Context: The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a historic tripartite peace deal with the Government of India and the state government of Assam.

About ULFA Peace Accord

• Formation of ULFA: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a militant group, was established in Assam in 1979 by Paresh Baruah amidst the anti-foreigners movement.
• Internal Conflicts and Factions: The organisation experienced internal rifts leading to its division into several factions.
• Objective for Assamese Sovereignty: ULFA emerged with the aim of creating an independent state for Assamese people, partly as a reaction to the influx of Bengali speakers after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Step Taken by Indian Government: In 1990, the Indian Government declared ULFA a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
• Ceasefire by Rajkhowa Faction: The Rajkhowa faction of ULFA entered into a ceasefire agreement with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2011 and has been engaged in peace talks with the Central Government since then.

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Key Points Of The Agreement

• ULFA representatives have agreed to cease violence.
• Of the 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 97 will be reserved for indigenous people.
• The government commits to investing ₹1.5 lakh crore in Assam.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, will develop a time-bound program to address ULFA’s demands, and a committee will be established to monitor its implementation.

Towards Peace

• Formation of People’s Consultative Group: In 2005, ULFA established an 11-member ‘People’s Consultative Group’ (PCG), including intellectuals and author Indira Raisom Goswami, to facilitate dialogue.
• Initial Talks and Subsequent Violence: The PCG mediated three rounds of discussions with the government, but ULFA abandoned the talks and initiated a new wave of violence.
• Efforts for Peace by Some Commanders: Starting in 2008, commanders like Arabinda Rajkhowa sought to renew peace negotiations with the government.
• Internal Split and Expulsions: Paresh Baruah, against peace talks, expelled Rajkhowa from ULFA in 2012. In response, the Rajkhowa-led pro-talk faction expelled Baruah, leading to a major split within ULFA.
• Creation of ULFA (Independent): Following the split, Baruah formed his own faction, ULFA (Independent), while the majority pursued peace talks under Rajkhowa’s leadership.
• Submission of Demands by Pro-Talks Faction: In 2012, the Rajkhowa-led faction presented a 12-point charter of demands to the central government.
• Peace Accord: In 2023, a round of discussions between Rajkhowa’s faction and the Centre followed, culminating in the tripartite peace agreement.

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