India, being the world’s largest democracy, is also a melting pot of diverse cultures. It has been an astounding triumph for a country with such a composite culture to prosper by taking everyone along. It is precisely why India is often called a bouquet. However, even the rose has its thorns. India, too, had to suffer these thorns in the form of different insurgencies. People often resonate with Kashmir when it is mentioned about insurgence; however, insurgence in the Northeast is a less talked-about subject. The history of insurgence in the northeast dates older than that of Kashmir. Despite being infected with several insurgencies, it is pertinent to note that India is one of very few countries that has successfully controlled and eradicated insurgencies. In this piece, we will talk about the ULFA insurgence of Assam and how it’s being controlled by the state.
ULFA: THE HELMER OF ASSAM INSURGENCY
The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) is a militant separatist organisation founded in 1979 in the Indian state of Assam. ULFA was founded by Paresh Baruah, Rajiv Rajkonwar, Golap Baruah, Samiran Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain, and others on April 7, 1979. Paresh Baruah has been a prominent and longstanding leader of ULFA, playing a key role in the organisation’s activities. It initially sought to establish an independent, sovereign Assam through armed struggle. The group has been involved in numerous violent activities, including bombings, assassinations, and extortion. ULFA’s primary grievances revolve around issues such as illegal immigration from Bangladesh, socio-economic disparities, and perceived exploitation of Assam’s resources. The Assam Accord of 1985, a peace agreement between the Indian government and the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), attempted to address these grievances, but challenges persisted.
PARESH BARUAH – CO-FOUNDER OF ULFA AND THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF ULFA(I).
In 1983, ULFA started to evolve into a structured insurgency group under the tutelage of the National Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The latter is a formidable group that operates throughout the Northeast, including Nagaland. In September 1984, the NSCN trained the first group of ULFA activists. According to former Manipur Governor Lt Gen. V.K. Nayyar, “there have been confirmed reports of NSCN providing training and weapons to ULFA on payment.” On August 15, 1986, the assassination of local Congress leader Nripen Dutta was one of the first significant attacks credited to the ULFA. Dutta was shot and killed during the Independence Day celebrations in Tinsukia, Assam. With this incident, ULFA emerged as a significant militant force in the region. This signalled its willingness to use violence to further its separatist agenda. Since then, the group has carried out several attacks on civilians and security forces.
ULFA DESCEND: TAMING THE FRINGES
Since its inception, ULFA has been losing its public image among the general public. Furthermore, the group is fast losing control over its ground-level activists, who seem to be disillusioned with the path of violence and militancy. The prominent reason behind this is the growing level of discontent among ULFA activists. They allege that their leaders now remain cut off from the masses and have turned dictatorial. Lack of support from the public, coupled with poor morale and disunity within, resulted in the mass surrender of its activists. ULFA suffered its first major blow on August 14, 2000, when 242 members, led by senior leader Lohit Deori, surrendered in the presence of the Assam Chief Minister at a function in Guwahati. Deori claimed that the group has now turned into a terrorist and extortionist outfit. He stated that the group is being dictated to by foreign agencies, including Pakistan’s ISI.
LOHIT DEORI
An additional blow for the ULFA occurred when the Assamese people rejected the group’s demand for a vote on sovereignty to be held in the state under the watchful eyes of UN observers. Approximately 70% of the 1.4 crore voters in the state chose to cast ballots despite the ULFA’s call for a boycott of the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. The ULFA has consistently refused to acknowledge or participate in the nation’s electoral process and has declared its opposition to the constitution. Nonetheless, the majority of people have continued to reject the outfit’s demand. Dwindling support from the public crippled the outfit and led to mass surrenders. The process of ULFA surrenders has been ongoing, with several of its leaders and cadres surrendering to the Indian authorities at different times. One significant event was the surrender of the ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, in December 2009.
ULFA CADRES SURRENDERED BEFORE ASSAM POLICE.
The surrender process involved rehabilitation efforts by the government to reintegrate former militants into mainstream society. Between 1991 and 2005, around 8428 ULFA militants surrendered and came into the mainstream. Between 2009 and 2018, the entire leadership of ULFA was either captured or surrendered, with only part of the 27th battalion remaining. In December 2023, a peace accord was signed by the Indian Central government, the Assam government, and the pro-talks faction of ULFA, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa. As a consequence, 8,200 cadres were surrendered, all designated camps were evacuated, and ULFA was dissolved. The agreement featured a financial package worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore. It includes national highways, new trains, and the establishment of an IISER and an IIM in the state. As of today, only 200 members of the ULFA(I) faction, led by Paresh Baruah, are still active in their camps located in Myanmar.
ROLE OF THE INDIAN STATE
The Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to tackle insurgency in Assam:
- Military Operations: The government has conducted various military operations to counter insurgent groups and restore law and order. Operations like “Operation Bajrang” and “Operation Rhino” aim at neutralising militant activities.
- Development Initiatives: Addressing socio-economic issues and promoting development in the region has been a focus. The government has implemented projects to improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare, aiming to address the root causes of discontent. Development initiatives are considered the crown jewel in the government’s policy of curtailing insurgence and winning over people’s hearts.
- Counter-Insurgency Policies: Policies such as the surrender and rehabilitation schemes have been implemented to encourage militants to give up violence and reintegrate into society. This involves providing opportunities for education, skill development, and employment.
- Border Management: Given the concerns about illegal immigration, the government has worked on strengthening border security to address one of the key issues that fuelled insurgency in the region. High vigilance and cooperation with the Myanmar army resulted in foiling many attacks and eliminating insurgent camps. Even recently, Home Minister Amit Shah announced plans to fence the entire 1643-kilometre-long Indo-Myanmar border.
These initiatives have been part of a comprehensive approach to address both the security and developmental aspects of the insurgency problem in Assam. Despite progress, challenges persist, and the situation remains dynamic.
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CONCLUSION
India has been a success story concerning curbing insurgencies. India’s dual policy of constructive dialogue coupled with hard military operations has set an example for the rest of the world. The curtailment of the ULFA insurgence is yet another triumph of India’s security policies. It is further important to note that developmental projects played a crucial role in it. Infrastructure, quality education, and healthcare facilities contribute to the improvement of living standards. Deprivation of these facilities often leads to distrust among the public. Public distrust is one of the root causes of any insurgency movement. Therefore, the Indian state must continue its developmental initiatives. Furthermore, border management is yet another tangent that needs to be looked upon, especially in the case of bordering states. In conclusion, India must keep up the good work. Furthermore, it shouldn’t get complacent, as there is still a long road ahead.
