The Indian government reached a peace deal with the ULFA last month, leaving a prospect for peace in Assam. According to multiple sources including the Indian Express, a tripartite deal — a Memorandum of Settlement — was reached in New Delhi among the Central Government, the Assam Government and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), one of the biggest insurgent groups in northeast India. The deal disbands the operations of the separatist group. This is definitely a good step and has the prospect of making peace in Assam, one of the Northern states of India. But it remains unclear whether and how much sustainable peace is possible in Assam with the latest deal.
It is notable that efforts have been made by the Indian government to bring peace through dialogue and development initiatives in Assam. Despite several peace deals including the peace deals with rebel Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi and Adivasi outfits and the Manipur-based insurgent group United National Liberation Front that drastically decreased conflicts in Assam and led to the surrender of 9,000 armed cadres, a lasting resolution remains elusive with the ULFA, which was formed in 1979 with the aim to establish an independent sovereign state for the indigenous Assamese people and has been in armed conflicts and engaged in various military operations in the state for several decades that resulted in significant violence and instability in the northern Indian region, impacting the lives of both civilians and security forces.
Though the Delhi deal with the pro-talks faction of the ULFA — led by Arabinda Rajkhowa — that aims to address several crucial issues including land and political rights for indigenous people and a financial package for Assam’s development, will help bring peace by reducing armed conflicts, reintegrating armed cadres into society and addressing diverse socio-economic concerns, there are grievances-based, ethnic and other challenges to the establishment of peace. There are deep-rooted ethnic tensions and the presence of other armed groups. Additionally, the complex nature of the issues, including socio-economic disparities and the conflicting interests of different parties/ethnic communities, can pose significant obstacles to achieving lasting peace in the state.
But among the challenges, a lack of peace deals with other parties including the hardline faction of the ULFA, called the ULFA-Independent, headed by Paresh Baruah, that runs training camps and maintains that the sovereignty of Assam must be on the agenda for any conversation with the state to happen, can be a major challenge to peace in Assam. Notably, the armed group has been involved in various acts of violence and insurgency in the region since its formation in 2012-13. Despite attempts, India has failed to make peace agreements with the armed group because of several factors including deep-rooted grievances and aspirations of the ULFA-Independent members.
Steps need to be taken to address the challenges and establish peace in Assam. The government of India, along with the Assamese government, needs to implement the Delhi agreement by providing promised rights and opportunities. But for the establishment of a lasting peace in the state, it is also crucial to reach a peace deal with other parties especially the ULFA-Independent — rendered the only major insurgent outfit in Assam after the latest deal with the pro-talks ULFA. For this, peace talks between the government and the group are crucial. Among others, addressing economic, social and other grievances is vital in the state.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
