Terrorists on the table

 

Over the decades, there are an estimated 37 militant groups in Assam. Of them more than 27 insurgent groups are inactive now. Most of the cadre of those ultra groups have either surrendered or killed in counter insurgency operations.

 

The region’s geography makes it a very special case. It shares international boundaries with China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar and security is a top of the mind issue. Undoubtedly, backwardness and alienation have been big issues here over the last few years and have acted as a catalyst in fueling insurgency. ``The negligence of the Union government towards this region is the root cause of extremism. People feel they are deprived. So they have become aggressive,” explains Prasun Bora, a social activist. Assam became part of British regime after the Yandabu treaty in 1826 and later post-Independence in 1947, joined the Indian union.

 

Before it went into the hands of British Indian administration, Assam was ruled by Ahom rulers for more than six hundred years. So, a tiny fraction of the people and its state still believe they should be independent - however remote this view may seem in New Delhi.

 

Nonetheless such tendencies coupled with ethnic firefights have reared their heads from time to time, particularly when prompted by neighbouring forces inimical to India who are more than keen to stir up trouble whenever they get their chance. So what is the rationale of holding talks between the Indian government and various militant groups in Assam? Says pro-talk United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) leader and battalion leader, Prabal Neog, “Inhabitants of India’s mainland have always regarded people living in its north-east as second class citizens. No developmental work has been done in this region. Even for the construction of a bridge, we have to hit the streets. The Indian government is employing a policy of divide and rule and forces to people to take to arms.’’

 

About the prolonged peace process and ongoing talks to achieve a breakthrough, Neog says the “central government had started peace talk with the NSCN (IM) group a few years ago. But no fruitful result has come out till now. Nobody is in a position to predict the future of the Naga peace talks either.’’ ULFA was formed on April 7, 1979, with the avowed objective of granting a sovereign independent status to Assam. During this 30-year-long period, ULFA has stuck to its demand and continues it now-off-now-on struggle againstthe Indian government. In this period, according to activists, more than 28,000 people have died in insurgency and counter insurgency activities. In Assam, however, a few insurgent groups continue to be strongly active. Apart from ULFA, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), United Liberation Front of Barak Valley (ULFBV) and Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) are the most active.

 

ULFA has set up a stronghold in Bangladesh. After Operation Thunderbolt was launched in Bhutan against the ULFA, the insurgent group was compelled to escape.

 

After Bhutan, ULFA moved its base to Bangladesh. But with Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister, they were forced to shift base to Myanmar. Sheikh Hasina has taken a tough stand towards ULFA. Several ULFA leaders including president Arabinda Rajkhowa, were arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to the Indian government. After the arrest of prominent ULFA leaders, a significant split occurred. Under the custody of the Indian government, Rajkhowa and other leaders expressed their willingness to hold peace talks with the government. As opposed to this, Paresh Baruah, the ULFA chief has taken a tough position on talks saying they were against it. Paresh Baruah managed to escape to Myanmar and re-constituted the ULFA.

 

The pro-talk ULFA group has started the dialogue process. But Paresh Baruah continues his fight against the Indian government in full steam. Baruah has recently warned the pro-dialogue ULFA group to stay away from peace talks and reiterated that no dialogue will be held without the issue of sovereignty. Such dire warnings from Paresh Baruah has all the potential of taking the state to another boiling point.

 

About the ongoing dialogue processes in the state, leader of government-backed Public Works, an organisation devoted to anti-militancy, told this magazine, ``Today terrorism is a good profession. By picking up a gun, anybody can make good money. The government also recognises terrorism as an ‘industry’ by giving various facilities to hardcore terrorists. In my view terrorists are always terrorists. They violate the rules and laws of the society. The government should not give them special status after they surrender.”

 

Now another strong group of militants has now come into the main stream. In 2003, the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) declared a ceasefire and declared their peaceful intent.

 

Another Bodo outfit, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has weakened after the arrest of Ranjan Daimary, their chief. Like the ULFA, a group of NDFB also favours peace talks. Others have followed suit. A number of Adivasi or tribal militant groups have also joined the process of peace talk. These include the Adivasi Cobra Force (ACF), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Security Force (ASF) and the All Assam Adivasi Suraksha Samiti (AAASS). In the North Cachar Hill districts, two major militant groups DHD (J) and DHD (nunisa) have also declared ceasefire. These two had caused a reign of terror in the North Cachar hill districts. Hopefully, as dialogues with other groups reach a definitive conclusion, things could be changing.