A 30-member delegation representing the United Liberation Front of Asom's pro-talks faction has reached New Delhi, with expectations mounting for the signing of a significant peace agreement with the Union and Assam governments on Friday. This delegation comprises 16 members from the ULFA and an additional 14 from civil society backgrounds.
Anup Chetia, the organisation's general secretary, informed ANI that the delegation, combining ULFA and civil society representatives, arrived in the capital on December 26.
As per a PTI report, the delegation includes Sasadhar Choudhury, the outfit's foreign secretary, Chitrabon Hazarika, the finance secretary, Pranati Deka, the cultural secretary, and deputy commander-in-chief Raju Barua. Anup Chetia, the organisation's general secretary, has already been in New Delhi since Monday and engaged in talks with peace negotiator AK Mishra on Tuesday, the report said.
Expressing optimism, Rajkhowa told PTI at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport that the "impending accord is expected to benefit the people of Assam and address longstanding concerns". He highlighted the extensive discussions since 2011, underscoring hopes for a favourable resolution in New Delhi.
The signing, expected on December 29, will witness the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today.
Earlier interactions saw the Centre providing a draft agreement to the pro-talks faction in April, followed by further discussions in August. Chetia had confirmed their feedback on the draft was shared with the Centre in October.
Founded in 1979 at Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, the ULFA faced a ban in 1990 due to its armed conflict against the state. However, 2011 witnessed a split within the outfit. While the pro-talks faction under Rajkhowa prioritised negotiations, the ULFA (Independent) faction, led by Paresh Barua, remained opposed to talks without a 'sovereignty' clause.
The pro-talks ULFA faction's 12-point charter includes demands related to constitutional and political reforms, protection of Assam's indigenous identity and resources, financial arrangements, and more. Despite recent incidents like blasts in Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, there remains an ongoing effort to establish peace talks. Click here to read more.
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With a series of previous peace agreements with various rebel groups in Assam, including Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, and Adivasi outfits, the upcoming accord with the ULFA's pro-talks faction signifies another step towards regional stability. Once finalised, the ULFA-Independent would emerge as the primary insurgent group in the state.