Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA faction

Source- This post is based on the article “Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA faction” published in “The Hindu” on 29th December 2023.

Why in the News?

The Central Government, Assam government, and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) have entered into a tripartite agreement aiming for enduring peace, prosperity, and comprehensive development in Assam.

What are the Key Points of this Agreement?

1) ULFA representatives agree to renounce violence, surrender weapons, vacate camps,  participate in democratic process, and uphold national integrity.

2) Out of the 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 97 seats would be reserved for indigenous people, and future delimitation exercises will adhere to this principle.

3) The government has pledged investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore, staggered through the years.

4) A time-bound program will be made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to fulfill the demands of ULFA and a committee will also be formed for its monitoring.

Note- The agreement was signed with the pro-talks faction of ULFA under Arabinda Rajkhowa while the other faction led by Paresh Baruah (known as ULFA-I) has not joined the peace process.

What is ULFA?

1) The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is a militant outfit operating in Assam.

2) It was founded in 1979 by Paresh Baruah during anti-foreigners movement. Subsequent to internal conflicts, the organization splintered into various factions.

3) It advocated for a sovereign state for the Assamese people in response to an influx of Bengali-speaking individuals following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

4) The Government of India banned the organisation in 1990 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act citing it as a terrorist organisation.

5) Rajkhowa faction of the ULFA signed a ceasefire agreement with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government only in 2011, and has since been in negotiations with the Centre for a peace deal.

UPSC Syllabus- Internal Security