In presence of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, a Memorandum of Settlement was signed between Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), in New Delhi on December 29. (PIB Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 29
The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the Centre, and the Assam government signed the much-anticipated historic tripartite peace accord on Friday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present during the peace pact signing. A delegation of 16 pro-talk members of the ULFA, headed by its chairperson Arabinda Rajkhowa, represented the group.
According to a PIB release, Shah during the signing said Modi government is ahead of time in implementing all agreements signed during last 5 years and efforts have been made to comply with all conditions while adding that it would not have been possible without Prime Minister Modi’s broader vision of insurgency-free North-East.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs worked with the vision of a North-East, free from extremism, violence and conflict.
In last 5 years, 9 peace and border related agreements have been signed with different states in the North-East, these have established peace in large part of the region, Shah said while adding that in ULFA conflict, about 10 thousand people from both sides were killed, who were citizens of this country, but today this problem is being completely resolved.
After formation of Modi government in 2014, violent incidents in Assam decreased by 87%, deaths by 90% and kidnappings by 84%, Shah claimed.
So far 7500 cadres have surrendered in Assam alone, which will have addition of 750 more today, thus the surrender of over 8200 cadres in Assam alone is the beginning of a new era of peace, he further stated.
A time-bound program will be made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to fulfil the demands of ULFA and a committee will be formed for its monitoring.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the accord as ‘Historic’ and said this was guided by the sterling vision and blessings of PM Narendra Modi.
Taking to his official handle on X, Sarma said “This Agreement draws the curtains on Assam’s oldest armed resistance pursued by ULFA, protects the interests of our people & paves way for spurring growth in the region. Those who were once associated with violence will become partners in the nation’s progress...”
“Today is indeed a special day for Bharat. For an entire generation, insurgency had stymied the potential of Assam. The single minded pursuit of inclusive development by Hon’ble PM since 2014 has resulted in today’s transformative achievement which marks a new dawn of harmony & togetherness,” the CM added.
However, it should be noted that the hardline faction of ULFA, headed by Paresh Baruah, is not a part of the agreement. Baruah is believed to be residing at a place along the China-Myanmar border.
The ULFA was formed in 1979 with the demand for a “sovereign Assam.” Since then, it has been involved in “subversive activities” that led to the central government declaring it a banned outfit in 1990.
The Rajkhowa led group joined the peace talks with the government on September 3, 2011 after an agreement for Suspension of Operations (SoO) was signed between the ULFA, centre and state governments. According to IANS, the group led by Paresh Baruah (known as ULFA-I) has not agreed to come to the table for talks
