United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)
Source: Hindustan Times
GS III: Internal Security
Overview
- News in Brief
- About United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)
Why in the News?
The memorandum of settlement signed between the Union and Assam governments and the pro-talks faction of the ULFA
- The deal came 43 years after the ULFA was formed.
- It is a “historic” step that would bring lasting peace to the north-east.
News in Brief
- ULFA will submit a list of its cadres and vacate its designated camps within a week.
- It will hand over all arms and disband the organisation within a month.
- Assam will get a special ₹5,000 crore special development package for five years.
Settlement Agreement
- The settlement document includes several sections like political demands, the issue of illegal immigration, protection of land, forest, culture and heritage of the state.
- It lists 87 projects, valued at around ₹1.5 lakh crores, which will be implemented by the Centre and Assam government.
- A special development package of ₹5000 crores will be provided over five years out of which ₹3,000 crore will be provided by the Government of India and ₹2000 crores by the Government of Assam for various developmental initiatives in the state.
- ₹10 lakhs each to family members of 31 ULFA cadres who have been missing for over two decades.
- The territorial integrity of Assam will be maintained but boundary disputes of the state with neighbouring states will be amicably resolved.
In addition to having boundary conflicts with Mizoram and Nagaland, Assam has negotiated border agreements with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh within the last two years.
About United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)
- The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) is a separatist militant group operating in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.
- The organization was formed on April 7, 1979.
- It aims to establish an independent sovereign state for the Assamese people.
- The proposed state referred to as “Asom,”
- It would be independent of the Indian Union.
Its Prominence
- The movement gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s.
- It was marked by a series of violent activities, including bombings, assassinations, and attacks on security forces.
- ULFA was known for its demands for the protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous Assamese population.
- The group accused the Indian government of exploiting the region’s resources while neglecting the welfare of the local people.
Countermeasure by Union Government and impact
- Over the years, the Indian government has taken various measures to counter the insurgency in Assam.
- The measures include deploying security forces and engaging in dialogue with militant groups.
- ULFA itself has gone through internal divisions and changes in leadership.
- Some factions have engaged in peace talks with the government, while others continue to pursue separatist activities.
Complex Multiple Ethnic Groups
- The situation in Assam is complex, with multiple ethnic and cultural groups.
- The demand for autonomy or independence reflects historical and socio-political issues.
- Efforts to address these concerns have involved a combination of military, political, and developmental approaches to bring about peace and stability in the region.
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