Insurgency remains alive in Assam

by Nava Thakuria
July 14, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1586/insurgency-remains-alive-in-assam

Some good news is coming out from the 'land of United Liberation Front of Asom'. The political leadership of the banned outfit has declared a unilateral and indefinite ceasefire recently. The decision, revealed by the ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, was a major breakthrough on the proposed peace talks with the government. But the adamant Paresh Barua (ULFA's military chief) and nascent Adivasi People's Army remaina threat to the peace of Assam.

A statement issued by the ULFA to the media on July 12 said, "With a view of exploring a lasting peaceful resolution to the ongoingIndo-Assam conflict, we have resolved to cease all forms of armed campaign for an indefinite period."

The statement also added that the militant leaders expect that 'an honourable and meaningful discussion with the government should continue in a peaceful atmosphere conducive for political negotiations'. It cautioned the cadres that 'any infringement there of (by any member of ULFA) will be considered as an anti-organizational act and shall be dealt with accordingly'.

But bad news also poured from the same organization, as its 'commander-in-chief ' Paresh Barua ordered its hardcore leader Dristi Rajkhowa to go for fund raising (read extortion). The illusive commander, who is reportedly hiding somewhere in Burma-China border also appointed Pranmoy Asom as the new foreign secretary of ULFA.

An email statement, sent by Arunodoi Dahotiya to the local media, disclosed that Pranmoy Asom would replace its former foreign secretary Shasha Choudhury, who was arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to Indian authority some time back and now released on bail to join the process of peace talks with New Delhi.

Meanwhile, a relatively unknown insurgent outfit has drawn the attention of everyone in Assam by claiming the responsibility of the blast that was carried on the railway track in Rongia few days back. An email coming from the camp of Adivasi People's Army revealed that it was the propagator of the explosion that derailed the Guwahati-Puri Express on July 10 night. The passenger train departed Guwahati Railway station at 6.45 pm and faced the accident just after two hours of journey. The IED blast on the railway track at Bhatkuchi, 75 km west of Guwahati derailed six coaches of the train injuring nearly hundred passengers, most of whom were pilgrims on way to Jagannathtemple at Puri beach (of Orissa) on the Bay of Bengal.

The blast was condemned by various organizations of the region including the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (pro-talk faction), which is now engaged in preliminary talks with the central government. The Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh expressed his concern at the accident and asked the then junior Railway minister Mukul Roy to take stock of the situation by visiting the location immediately (amazingly Mr Roy defied PM's order). Dr Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house of Indian Parliament, was at that time looking after the Railway Ministry since Mamata Banerjee's resignation to take the charge as the chief minister of West Bengal. The local police later arrested few villagers from Bhatkuchi and its surrounding areas suspecting to be member or sympathizers of Adivasi Peoples' Army who were directly involved in the train-track blast.

Meanwhile, the State government had announced compensations of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10,000 to those received serious and minor injuries in the accident.

Initially the State police suspected it as a handiwork of Bodo militants (read NDFB -Ranjan Daimary faction). Till then the pro-talk faction of NDFB denounced the train attack. The ULFA also denied its involvement in the incident. Finally the police confirmed the hands of the Adivasi militant group in the railway track explosion. The police also claimed that the Adivasi People's Army had already formed internal tie-up with the ULFA (Paresh faction) and the NDFB (Ranjanfaction).

Leaving aside the ULFA, NDFB and APA, Assam is home to nearly 20 armed outfits which are waging a war against the Union government for various demands ranging from self rule to sovereignty. Thousands of common people have already lost their lives due to armed conflict in the region.

The banned outfits every time gear up disruptive activities when the nation prepares for India's Independence Day and Republic Day to make their presence felt. But it is yet to be confirmed whether the APA leaders carried out the blast on the railway track as a stray incident or as a routine threats to the people of the region against thecelebration of I-Day on August 15 next.

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