Social body prepares charter of ULFA demands

The Sanmilito Jatiya Abhibartan, a nine-member core group of civil society that played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the faction of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam-led by its chairman Arabinda Rajhowa and the government of India, has prepared and handed over the charter of demands of the ULFA to the outfit's leadership on Saturday.

The charter of demands is to be submitted by the ULFA to the government of India during the next round of negotiations.

The SJA was responsible for preparing the charter of demands in consultation with experts from various fields. The SJA handed over the voluminous document to ULFA faction chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa before the media in Guwahati.

Other ULFA leaders present on the occasion were Raju Barua, Pradip Gogoi, Chitrabon Hazarika and Pranati Deka

The SJA's chief convenor Dr Hiren Gohain said, "Assam has been a victim of grave injustice since colonial times. If ULFA can convince the government to accept these demands, then things might start looking up for Assam."

Gohain was accompanied by the other members of the committee that included social activists, former bureaucrats and academics.

The charter of demands covers almost all topics that have had a profound bearing on the political, social and economic aspects in Assam. Every demand has been justified with a historical perspective and facts taken from government documents and records.

A member of the SJA said that some demands are "radical" and aimed at protecting the interests of the indigenous communities in the state against the demographic onslaught in the form of illegal migration from Bangladesh. He said an amendment of various articles in the Constitution would be required if the demands are accepted.

The first round of talks was held between the ULFA and the Centre in New Delhi in February this year, where it was decided that the banned outfit would submit a charter of demands which would form the basis of the peace dialogue between the two sides.

The modalities of the talks would be framed in the next round expected to be held sometime next month.

Meanwhile, the anti-talks faction of the ULFA led by its 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua still remains opposed to the peace process and has vowed to continue with the armed struggle till the government agrees to discuss its core demand of Assam's sovereignty.

Barua is believed to be shuttling between hideouts in northern Myanmar and the south western Chinese province of Yunnan.

The pro-talks faction has been maintaining that it was in favour of a prolonged negotiation like the one going on between the Centre and the Naga rebel group NSCN-IM since 1997.