On April 7th, marking the 45th anniversary of its founding, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), or ULFA (I), communicated its willingness to engage in peace negotiations with the Indian government. This declaration arrives amidst heightened political activity ahead of the nation's Lok Sabha elections.
In a video address, ULFA (I) chairman Paresh Baruah declared the group's openness to "meaningful talks with India," signaling a potential change in the militant outfit's position. Historically focused on Assamese independence, ULFA (I) has been a key actor in Assam's decades-long insurgency.
The timing of Baruah's statement, just ahead of India's general elections, suggests a tactical element to the declaration, as insurgency in Assam will likely be a prominent campaign issue.
Whether this announcement foreshadows substantive action remains uncertain. Past attempts at peace negotiations between ULFA factions and the government have yielded limited results. However, Baruah's words raise the prospect of finding a peaceful solution to one of India's longest-running internal conflicts.
Background
- The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was established in 1979 with a goal of creating an independent state of Assam.
- In 1990, the Indian government declared ULFA an unlawful organization.
- Over the years, ULFA has splintered into factions, with ULFA (I) remaining the most active and resistant to negotiations.
- Previous peace talks with other ULFA factions have met with limited success.
