Peace Accord Signed by ULFA Pro-Talks : Assam Government
New Delhi, December 29, 2023: In a significant minutiae for Assam, the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a peace wind-down today with the Central and Assam governments. The memorandum of settlement was formalized in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Key Points:
Shunning Violence and Joining Democratic Process:
The ULFA pro-talks faction, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, has well-set to welsh violence, disband the organization, and participate in the democratic process, marking a crucial step towards lasting peace in Assam.
Union Home Minister’s Statement:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the historic nature of the day, highlighting Assam’s prolonged suffering due to ULFA violence, with over 10,000 lives lost since 1979. He disclosed that the ULFA has single-minded to renouncing violence, and every speciality of the accord, including a significant minutiae package for Assam, will be fully implemented.
Reduction in Violence:
Shah reported a substantial subtract in violence, with an 87% reduction in overall incidents, a 90% subtract in deaths, and an 84% waif in kidnappings. The wind-down aims to bring long-term stability to the region.
12 Years of Unconditional Negotiations:
The peace pact materialized without 12 years of unconditional negotiations between the ULFA faction and the government. The talks aimed to write various issues and put an end to the decades-old insurgency in Assam.
Exclusion of Hardline ULFA Faction:
Notably, the hardline faction of ULFA, led by Paresh Baruah, remains uninvolved in the peace agreement. Baruah is believed to be residing withal the China-Myanmar border, and his faction continues to operate independently.
Acknowledgment from State Leaders:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the wind-down as historic, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their guidance. The try-on is seen as a crucial step in bringing peace to Assam and putting an end to tribal militancy.
ULFA Pro-Talks Faction Apologizes:
A ULFA representative expressed remorse for any wrongdoing and stated that the wind-down would bring lasting peace to Assam. The Chief Minister undisputed that virtually 8,700 ULFA cadres had joined the peace accord, signaling a significant shift toward mainstream participation.
Future Initiatives:
Home Minister Shah unpreventable the ULFA that the government would prepare a time-bound program to implement the settlement, with a committee to oversee the process. A new era of stability is anticipated, with an accent on minutiae and cultural safeguards.
This peace wind-down is expected to mark the end of a prolonged insurgency in Assam, paving the way for political, economic, and social reconciliation