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A tripartite Memorandum of
Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Central Government, Government of Assam
and United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) in the presence of Union Home
Minister Shri P. Chidambaram and Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi during
the month hoping to bring peace to the Karbi Anglong districts of Assam. In
August 2002, UPDS came forward and expressed willingness to give up violence
and seek solution of problems peacefully within the framework of the Indian
Constitution. In November 2009, in order to speed up the peace process,
Government appointed Shri P.C. Haldar as Interlocutor/Government of India’s
Representative to negotiate with the UPDS for addressing their grievances.
After several round of discussions, negotiating team comprising the
Representatives of Government of Assam, Ministry of Home Affairs and UPDS
finalized tripartite agreement. The salient features
of the MOS are:-
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(a) Setting up of a committee under Assam
Legislative Assembly as envisaged under Article 371B of the Constitution of
India;
(b) Renaming of existing Council as Karbi Anglong
Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC);
(c) Increasing seats in the Council upto 50 members
of which 6 will be nominated by Governor for more representation (presently
30 seats out of which 4 nominated by Governor). However, proposed increase in
seats from existing 26 to 44 elected seats and also nominated seats shall be
applicable subsequent election to the Council due in 2016-17 or mid-term
poll, if any, whichever is earlier.
(d) Setting up of Village Councils for deepening
democratic process at the grass root level
(e) Transfer of additional subjects by the State of
Assam to the Council along with legislation and executive powers;
(f) Setting up of State Finance Commission (SFC) and
consideration of higher fund allocation to the council to undertake viable
activity;
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(g) Strict adherence to establish norms of financial
management, proper audit of the accounts, etc.
(h) Measures for socio-economic, education, health,
and cultural development;
(i) Special economic package of Rs.350 crore (Rs.70
cr. p.a.) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years to KAATC for
identified projects;
(j) Improvement of road connectivity , water supply
and supply of power in Karbi Anglong District under existing schemes;
(k) Providing one-time grant for capacity building
in KAATC for preparation of DPR etc.
(l) Rehabilitation of UPDS cadres; Withdrawal of
cases relating to heinous crimes shall be reviewed case by case according to
existing policy for withdrawal of such cases. Implementation of MoS will be
reviewed periodically.
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Analysts
believe that conversion of existing Council to a Territorial one will provide
greater autonomy and resources to the body; however implementation may restrict
likely gains made unless an overall increase in capacity building takes place.
Meanwhile the Paresh Barua faction of the ULFA
regrouped its political set up formally deposing Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa,
who is holding peace talks with the government. Dr Abhijit Barman, an unknown
entity in Assam was made chairman-in-charge of Ulfa's new central committee.
Baruah is nominated as vice-chairman-in-charge of the outfit in place of
Pradeep Gogoi but is likely to call the shots. The new
central committee would comprise 16 members with a three-member group of
advisers. "We have not heard this name (Abhijit Barman). Usually, one of
the senior most persons of the outfit becomes the chairman. At the moment,
Paresh and Jibon Moran are the only two senior people left in the group,"
pro-talks faction spokesman Mrinal Hazarika said.
The
hard line faction of the ULFA which has not joined the talks process with the
government led by Paresh Barua reportedly based in Myanmar or Yunnan province
in China has now set the stage for a political formulation on separatism even
as the core leadership led by Chairman Rajkhowa extradited from Bangladesh
plans to join the mainstream. How far Barua who many believe also has Chinese
support will be able to sustain the resistance remains to be seen, but given
that there is external support in terms of funds and sanctuaries he may find
enough fuel to keep the flames of terrorism burning in Assam. Thus while the
levels of violence may come down there is likely to be continued efforts to
revive the organization thereby indicating pain ahead for the people of Assam.
Getting Barua in the mainstream may not be very easy given that he is based in
inaccessible areas outside the country and has external support as well as some
sympathy in Upper Assam.
Meanwhile in continuing incidents of
violence security forces shot dead three ULFA insurgents in an encounter in
Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district on 18 November. Railway officials discovered 10 crude bombs
along with blasting devices from a railway bridge on the Lumding-Badarpur hill
section in southern Assam on 9 November, indicating challenges that are likely
to be faced by the State in ensuring continued peace and stability. “The 10 powerful bombs along with blasting
devices were found at a railway bridge between Mahur and Phiding stations on
Lumding-Badarpur hill section under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR),” NFR
spokesman Nilanjan Deb told reporters.
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