Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman, ULFA
After 44 years, he has decided to disband the organisation, signing the historic peace settlement with the Central government and the government of Assam. The guerrilla fighter is facing some criticism after he returns to Assam as a common citizen, committed to roll out the promises in the settlement. In an exclusive interview, Rajkhowa tells THE WEEK that ULFA has let go of its cause for the people of Assam. Excerpts:
Q/ How does it feel to disband the ULFA faction that you have been leading?
A/ I have been a guerrilla fighter for 44 years—from April 7, 1979 till December 29, 2023—fighting for a sovereign Assam. We have lived in jungles braving hunger, difficult weather and terrain, running from country to country. Over the years, our senior leaders got arrested and had to spend many years in jail. It has been a long struggle. The civil society and intellectuals gradually asked us to adopt peaceful means to resolve the India-Assam conflict. ULFA’s demand has always been a sovereign and independent Assam. But the proposal for a peaceful political solution is the demand of the people of Assam.
We were in discussion with the Indian government for the last 12 years and four months, honouring the agendas prepared by civil society organisations. The proposal for a peaceful political process was brought before the leaders of ULFA by 131 civil society organisations. It was then that we decided to honour and respect the will of the Assamese people. Therefore, we signed the agreement which resulted in disbanding the organisation.
Q/ It has been a very long negotiation process. Are you happy with the outcome?
This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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