Explained: Unrest in Assam and Signing of the ULFA Pact

The Emergence of ULFA

The Assamese populace possesses a distinct culture, language, and a strong sense of identity. However, the region's economic growth in sectors like tea, coal, and oil attracted migrants, leading to insecurity among the indigenous population. This was exacerbated by the Partition and subsequent refugee influx from the erstwhile East Pakistan. The ULFA emerged as a result of the anti-foreigner Assam Agitation that commenced in 1979, culminating in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985.

While social organizations and student bodies protested, a radical faction, including Arabinda Rajkhowa, Anup Chetia, and Paresh Baruah, formed the ULFA on April 7, 1979, aiming to establish a sovereign Assam. After a decade of recruitment and training in Myanmar, China, and Pakistan, they initiated armed struggles, conducting abductions and executions. In response, the government launched an offensive in 1990, banning the ULFA and declaring Assam a disturbed area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

Years of Conflict

Counter-insurgency operations led to the arrest of 1,221 ULFA members in the early 1990s. In 1992, some ULFA members surrendered and sought dialogue with the government, forming the Surrendered ULFA (SULFA). Allegedly, state forces later employed SULFA members to identify and execute hardliners and their families in what became known as "secret killings."

Despite this, ULFA survived partly due to external support, maintaining camps in Myanmar and previously in Bangladesh and Bhutan, serving as bases for cross-border operations, training, and shelter. ULFA also has ties to insurgent groups in the Northeast and Myanmar, as well as associations with Islamic extremist outfits like Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and Al-Qaeda.

In 2009, after being apprehended by Indian security forces, leaders of the Rajkhowa-led faction engaged in a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in September 2011. However, opposing negotiations, Baruah purportedly "expelled" Rajkhowa from ULFA in 2012. Subsequently, in April 2013, the anti-dialogue faction rebranded itself as ULFA (Independent). The pro-dialogue faction finalized the peace accord 12 years after initially agreeing to halt their insurgent activities.

The Peace Accord

The memorandum of settlement stipulates ULFA's commitment to renounce violence, disarm, disband its armed wing, vacate camps, and engage in the peaceful democratic process. The Ministry of Home Affairs pledges a time-bound program to address ULFA's demands and the formation of a monitoring committee. The accord includes a comprehensive ₹1.5 lakh crore investment for Assam's holistic development. Crucially, it addresses ULFA's political demands, emphasizing Assam's territorial integrity, boundary dispute resolution with neighbouring states, and the representation of indigenous communities in the Assam Assembly, primarily excluding migrant Muslims.

Challenges Ahead

Despite being deemed a positive step, the peace accord's effectiveness remains uncertain. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expresses interest in engaging with the anti-dialogue faction, yet Baruah remains steadfast in demanding Assam's sovereignty.