Guwahati, Sep 16 (IANS) Separatist leaders from various groups Wednesday warned that cadres in ceasefire mode in Assam were getting restive and threatening to go underground again as New Delhi was taking no steps to further the peace process after entering into a truce.
At least eight influential rebel groups in Assam are operating ceasefires with the central government.
“If the central government thinks that operating a ceasefire is enough, then it would be grossly wrong. Already cadres are getting restless with no signs of peace talks starting,” Mrinal Hazarika, leader of the pro-talk faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), told IANS.
The Alpha and Charlie companies of ULFA’s 28th battalion, the most potent striking units of the outfit, announced a unilateral ceasefire July last year.
The pro-talk faction has since given up their demand for sovereignty and are instead seeking greater autonomy.
“We have already submitted our charter of demands to the central government, but there is no response yet. Already, a few of our cadres have deserted us to join the ULFA once again and if there is further delay in holding peace talks, more such cases would take place,” Hazarika said.
Among the prominent militant groups in Assam operating ceasefires with the government are the ULFA pro-talk faction, the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), two rival factions of the Dima Haolam Daogah (DHD), the United People’s Democratic Solidarity, the Adivasi Cobra Force, the Birsa Commando Force and the Karbi Longri National Liberation Front.
“Dragging the peace process would be counterproductive in the long run. It is time the central government takes urgent steps to expedite the ongoing peace process with various groups or else the situation would be grave,” DHD chief Dilip Nunisa told IANS.
The DHD entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in 2004.
“Our cadres are getting impatient by the day and with New Delhi delaying the process, the situation might aggravate,” Nunisa said.
As of now, just two of the main rebel groups are active in Assam — the ULFA and a faction of the NDFB led by Ranjan Daimary, believed to be operating out of Bangladesh.
“It is good that the government is able to operate ceasefires with many of the groups, but then they should also try and continue with the peace talks so as to ensure permanent peace in the region,” said G.M. Srivastava, former Assam police chief.
More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades.