In a significant development, the Central and Assam governments signed a peace accord with the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on December 29, 2023. This agreement, although excluding the hardline faction led by Paresh Baruah, represents a historic breakthrough on multiple fronts.
Foremost, it signifies the culmination of ULFA's 44-year-long armed struggle, which began in 1979 with the aim of establishing a 'sovereign' Assam. The negotiations between the Centre and the pro-talks ULFA faction commenced in 2011 and have now yielded positive results, fostering optimism for accelerated development projects in the insurgency-affected state, supported by financial assistance from the Central government. Furthermore, this pact holds the potential to resolve the socio-cultural conflicts in Assam by addressing concerns related to illegal immigration and land rights for indigenous communities.
Nonetheless, the Central government
must exercise caution as it still needs to contend with the hardline faction of
ULFA, led by Baruah, who remains in hiding along the China-Myanmar border.
ULFA's outlawed status since 1990, prompted by a series of kidnappings,
extortions, killings, and bomb blasts. By ensuring the inclusion of every
citizen in the mainstream, lasting peace and the conclusion of a prolonged
chapter of insurgency can be achieved
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