The Indian government and a key faction of Assam’s oldest insurgent group signed a tripartite peace agreement on Friday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah describing the pact as a watershed that will end decades of violence in the restive northeastern state and usher in a new era of prosperity, reports Hindustan Times.
The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, signed the accord, agreeing to shun violence, disband the organization, and join the democratic process. Shah, who was present along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, said it was a very big day for the people of Assam.
“It’s a new era of peace for Assam and the entire northeast. With this agreement, ULFA cadres will give up arms, vacate their camps, and join the mainstream to be part of the democratic process,” Shah said.
The hardline Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA was not part of the agreement. The pro-talks faction has 726 members as opposed to some 200 members of the extremist faction, according to police officials familiar with the matter.
The home minister said that the pact was possible due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader policy of bringing Delhi and the North-East together and developing the region.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
