Give peace a chance in Assam

Declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Paresh Barua-led United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) has triggered a glimmer of hope for permanent peace in Assam. Barua made the declaration in response to an appeal made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, immediately after assuming office, to the outfit to come forward for peace talks. Dr Sarma has welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declaration by ULFA (I) 'commander-in-chief' as a "good sign" and has sent a clear signal that the "government is ready for talks." Positive responses from both sides should lay the ground for the preparation of a more structured and formal response. The opportunity must be seized to pave the way for opening dialogue. The Chief Minister has rightly said that the security forces cannot lower their guards until the formal signing of an agreement for a ceasefire. Broad contours of the ground rules of ceasefire or Suspension of Operation (SoO) are known to both sides. It requires the cadres of the militant outfit to stay confined to designated camps and refrain from indulging in any act of violence. The Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with Naga rebel groups and SoO with other militant groups such as erstwhile factions of Bodo Liberation Tigers, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and different militant groups in other states in the region. The Government will expect the ULFA(I) to show sincerity in its declaration by immediately releasing Oil and Natural Gas Corporation employee Ritual Saikia abducted and held hostage in outfit's camps in Myanmar and refrain from indulging in abduction, extortion or any act of violence. The outfit has denied its hand in the incident of the blast at Tingrai under Digboi police station in Tinsukia district that claimed two lives last week but the arrest of a former ULFA cadre by police for his alleged involvement in the incident calls for security forces to remain more vigilant to thwart such attacks. The State government is cautious and guarded in its reaction to the ULFA(I)'s unilateral ceasefire as it is not sure if it is a tactical move to buy time by the outfit for reconsolidation. Security forces in a joint operation in Nagaland along the India-Myanmar border rescued two of the three OGNC employees abducted by the outfit following an encounter while abductors managed to crossover the international border with the third hostage in their captivity. Security forces cannot remain a mute spectator to any act of violence and must protect the lives and properties of citizens. The suspicion and doubt in government circles over the ULFA's unilateral ceasefire declaration has stemmed from the fact that the outfit has not approached any government agencies to convey its decision and made the announcement through a statement issued to a section of media. Besides, it has mentioned that a unilateral ceasefire has been declared due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation. Only a direct and formal communication of the ceasefire declaration by the outfit through the proper channel can be expected to set the ball rolling. It is also important that finalising the ground rules of cessation of hostilities is delinked from the issues to be put on the negotiation table so that the opportunity of creating a conducive atmosphere for talks can be sustained. For over four decades, Assam has been yearning for permanent peace and an end to the insurgency. Thousands of lives have been lost in insurgency and counter-insurgency operations and peace has remained fragile. The insurgency tag has driven away prospective investors despite incentives for industrial investments announced by the central and the state governments. Lack of investment has compounded the unemployment problem in the state and several lakhs of youths of the state have been compelled to migrate to other states as unskilled workers in search of greener pastures. The migration can be reversed and the youth of the state will be able to get gainful employment if insurgency comes to an end permanent peace prevails. Most outfits in the state realized the futility of insurgent activities, joined the peace process and have returned to the mainstream. The return of all factions of NDFB has paved way for rapid progress in Bodoland Territorial Region. Security forces must apprehend the fringe elements which are trying to foment trouble in the BTR areas so that peace does not become fragile in the Bodo heartland because of fresh spurt in militant activities by any residual group. Civil society groups can play a critical role in facilitating the peace process between the government and the ULFA(I) by shaping the wishes and desire of the people for an end to insurgent violence in the state into a strong campaign for permanent peace. The ball is in the court of ULFA(I) to respond to the wishes of the people by putting another step forward towards signing a formal agreement with the government to open the dialogue. Peace must be given a chance by both sides.