THE signing of peace accord by the pro-talks faction of the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), with the Central Government and the Government of Assam, must be hailed as a welcome development. The day of signing is no short of a Golden Day in the modern history of Assam. Already on path of development, the signing of the peace accord with Mr. Arabinda Rajkhowa-led ULFA faction is going to only accelerate the pace of progress of the State that saw a long period of insurgency. Previously also, conscious efforts were made for peace talks with ULFA to bloom into peace accord, but those were scuttled by hardliners like Mr. Paresh Baruah, who still leads the anti-talks faction of the outfit. This anti-talks faction has grown weaker due to changes in the world over time. It is yet to wake up the reality of India’s growth story. Hence, it is still sticking to old demand that found echoes of support from some of the hostile foreign forces. Unfortunately for Mr. Baruah and the likes, the forces he has been relying upon are not in a position to needle India because they are not willing to face the backlash.

 

Sooner or later, either he will have to come to terms with the new reality or his comrades in arms may leave him isolated. Instead of leading a frustrated and melancholic life, it will be better for him to join the mainstream and shun the path of violence. The latest peace accord comes after a long journey of Assam through the troubled waters of insurgency. As has been pointed out by Mr. Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, Assam has suffered for long due to violence. The insurgency in Assam that started in mid-1950s with the Revolutionary Communist Party of India, adopted a more disruptive form with rise of ULFA in the 1980s, followed by other groups. There was a time when ULFA operated as good as seamlessly not only from the jungles of Assam but also neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar by setting up bases there. The memory of ULFA leadership crossing over into China through Myanmar also has not faded out. The subversive activities of ULFA created a serious disturbance not only in Assam but also entire North-East as other groups also took to arms. This led to a tumultuous period in the history of India and efforts had to be mounted by several organisations to reach out to the strife-torn North-East to repair the loosening bond of cultural integrity with other parts of the country.

 

Many of such people, including some belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had to sacrifice their life. But, they did not stop the efforts. Many in the security establishment acknowledge this fact. Thanks to the sacrifice of such patriotic people, and also the concerted efforts of the successive Governments in initiating peace talks irrespective of the previously unsuccessful tries, Assam is seeing the present golden day. There is still more distance to cover. Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, is committed to ridding Assam of insurgency and leading it on to the path of development. While signing peace accord with ULFA and other insurgent groups, Assam is focussing on systematic rehabilitation of surrendered cadres to allow them to make meaningful contribution to Assam’s development. For, there is no better answer to insurgency than purposeful engagement. May Assam continue on this path of peace and prosperity.