ULFA & Assam Insurgency
Formation of ULFA and Its Objectives
Friends, today we will share the story of ULFA, the United Liberation Front of Assam. This is the tale of Assam’s fight for its identity, resources, and existence.
First, let’s talk about the formation of ULFA. This organization was founded on April 7, 1979. The place was the historic Rang Ghar of Assam. The primary goal of this organization was to make Assam an independent nation.
Now the question arises, why was this organization formed? Assam, known for its oil and tea, had its resources exploited by the central government. However, a significant share of the revenue never reached the people of Assam. Additionally, the influx of outsiders, especially from Bangladesh, became a major concern.
The prominent leaders of ULFA included Paresh Baruah, Arabinda Rajkhowa, and Anup Chetia. They believed that violent methods were necessary to protect Assam’s identity and resources.
1980s: The Rise of ULFA
Now let’s talk about ULFA’s early days. From 1980 to 1985, ULFA gradually gained a foothold among the people of Assam. During this period, the Assam Movement was ongoing, which was aimed at opposing outsiders. ULFA supported this movement and, in the process, strengthened its base among the people.
But the story didn’t end there. In 1984, ULFA began targeting oil pipelines and railways. This was their strategy to attract the government’s attention and demonstrate their opposition. Initially, the people of Assam supported them, as they believed ULFA was fighting for their rights.
1986-1990: Strengthening ULFA’s Control in Assam
By 1986, ULFA had fortified its armed wing. They established bases in neighboring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh. During this period, they also began running parallel administrations in rural Assam. They set up their courts in villages where people came to resolve disputes.
But in 1990, the Indian government began to take strict action. ULFA was declared a terrorist organization, and Operation Bajrang was launched. The Indian Army carried out large-scale operations against ULFA. However, ULFA’s leadership managed to escape and seek refuge in Bhutan and Bangladesh.
1991-1997: The Era of Violence and Expansion
Let’s now talk about the period when ULFA escalated its violence to its peak. In 1991 and 1992, they began extorting large sums of money from oil and tea companies. Those who refused to pay were targeted, with attacks on their offices and employees.
ULFA didn’t just target economic structures but also carried out political assassinations. In 1991, several leaders were kidnapped. This was ULFA’s way of showcasing its power. However, the effect was the opposite. The general public, who initially supported ULFA, now began fearing them.
1998-2003: Weakening and Division of the Organization
By 1998, cracks began to emerge within ULFA. Some leaders started opposing violence and spoke of initiating peace talks. During this period, the Indian government, in collaboration with Bhutan, launched Operation All Clear. In this operation, most of ULFA’s bases in Bhutan were destroyed. Leaders like Paresh Baruah were forced to take refuge in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
2004-2010: Peace Talks and the End of Violence
In 2004, ULFA carried out a major attack. On Independence Day, bomb blasts killed over 50 people. This incident further tarnished ULFA’s image. The people of Assam, who once stood with them, now turned against them.
In 2008, some leaders initiated peace talks. By 2010, under the leadership of Arabinda Rajkhowa, one faction surrendered its arms. This marked a significant turning point in ULFA’s history.
2011-2020: Peace Talks, Division, and Changing Influence
For ULFA, the decade after 2011 was critical.
Friends, the period after 2011 was very significant for ULFA. During this time, the organization changed its direction. On one hand, some leaders wanted to pursue peace and dialogue, while on the other hand, some remained committed to armed conflict.
This was the period when the organization split into two factions, and its influence began to decline.
In 2011, the pro-talk faction of ULFA formally began peace talks with the Indian government. Gradually, most members of the organization returned to the mainstream. However, the faction led by Paresh Baruah, known as ULFA-Independent, remained active. This faction continues to operate from Myanmar and Bangladesh, but its strength has significantly reduced.
2011: Formation of the Pro-Talk Faction and the Start of Peace Talks
In 2011, ULFA’s chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, and his supporters initiated peace talks with the Indian government.
In 2011, Arabinda Rajkhowa took a major step. He began dialogue with the Indian government. The goal of this dialogue was to safeguard Assam’s development and political rights. This decision to abandon violence marked a major shift in ULFA’s history.
This was the first time a faction of ULFA acknowledged that dialogue and development, rather than armed struggle, were the right path. They presented issues such as Assamese people’s rights and employment to the government.
The government saw this as a positive step and began the process of dropping all old cases against Rajkhowa’s faction. This meant that leaders willing to engage in dialogue were given a chance to return to the mainstream.
2012-2015: Expansion of Violence and Peace Talks
In 2012, Assam witnessed a major tragedy. Violent clashes between the Bodo community and Bengali Muslims displaced nearly 5 lakh people and killed hundreds.
ULFA-Independent’s role was considered suspicious in these riots. They were accused of encouraging violence. However, the organization did not directly intervene in these riots.
2016-2018: New Government and Direction of Talks
In 2016, the BJP government came to power in Assam, with Himanta Biswa Sarma emerging as a significant leader. He stated that dialogue with ULFA was necessary, and bringing them onto the path of peace was his priority.
2019-2022: CAA and ULFA-I’s Response
In 2019, large-scale protests erupted in Assam against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). ULFA-Independent openly opposed CAA, claiming that it posed a threat to Assam’s cultural identity. However, their opposition had limited impact due to their weakened network.
Impact of ULFA’s Struggle
Now let’s talk about the impact of ULFA’s struggle. From 1980 to 2020, over 10,000 people lost their lives in conflicts involving ULFA. This included civilians, security personnel, and ULFA members. The riots of 1994 and 2012 displaced around 5 lakh people. Assam’s economy, especially its oil and tea industries, suffered losses worth crores of rupees.
ULFA’s story teaches us that violence is never a permanent solution to any problem. Assam has paid a heavy price for this struggle, but it is now moving towards peace and development. Today, the people and government of Assam are working together towards a better future.