Internal Division Emerges Within ULFA Pro-talk Faction Over Peace Accord

After more than 10,000 lives were sacrificed in a protracted armed conflict, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) pro-talk faction negotiated a tripartite agreement with the state government and the central government in New Delhi on Friday. However, the deal continues to cause rifts within the faction. This is now made explicit in a remark that appeared in an unsigned ULFA letter pad.

In view of the Tripartite Peace Accord signed between the ULFA pro-talk faction, the central and state governments, the cadres of the ULFA, held a secret meeting in Kaliabor last evening.

In the said meeting, they have termed this peace agreement as a “treaty of economic understanding between Chetia-Rajkhowa-Chowdhury-Hazarika and the Government of India".

In a statement, the cadres of the ULFA said, “We have merely referred to it as the "Economic Understanding Agreement between Chetia-Rajkhowa-Chowdhury-Hazarika and the Government of India and we cannot acknowledge this deal for any reason. Anup Chetia and Arabinda Rajkhowa are not the only representatives of the ULFA pro-talk faction. For whatever reason, we are unable to be content with the deal they have made in New Delhi yesterday. Therefore, the majority of cadres have resolved to keep the ULFA organisation alive, excluding them. Despite our efforts to create an independent, sovereign Assam, we were eventually forced—at the behest of the highest levels of government—to search for an alternative, when we found ourselves ensnared in the state system. Moreover, the central leadership without consulting with the general members of pro-talk faction went on to sign a peace deal with the ULFA. Nevertheless, we hoped that the following demands would be included as an alternative to demand for a sovereign and independent Assam. (a) To establish Assam as a fully autonomous state through the two systems of one nation. Where Assam will present its distinct identity with a separate constitution (the Indian Constitution and law will be partially applicable only to international borders), with the flag and the law. (b) To establish a separate political system in Assam and a mechanism that will empower the people of Assam to govern themselves. (c) To establish a separate economic system for Assam by issuing a separate currency. (d) To establish Assam's right over the soil, water and air of the state including authority over the resources located in the underground and forest covers of Assam. (e) To safeguard the cultural, social, and religious identity of Assam's various ethnic groups."

However, the aforementioned conditions are not stated in the peace treaty signed between Chetia-Rajkhowa and the Government of India, they claimed in the letter.

"For the sake of a few rupees, they let our cadres' sacrifices go in vain. We did not give up our lives and adulthood for money," the letter reads.

Also Read: Tripartite Peace Accord: ULFA Leadership Expresses Gratitude to Centre, Assam Govt