MASSIVE: Centre-ULFA peace accord likely to be inked on December 29

BREAKING | In a monumental breakthrough after 12 years of negotiations, credible sources have confirmed the imminent signing of a peace deal between the Centre and ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) within the upcoming week. According to these sources, Centre has almost finalised the highly anticipated peace deal with the United Liberation Front of Asom, or ULFA, and the pact is likely to be inked on December 29 at 5 PM. This announcement marks a pivotal breakthrough in the negotiations between the Centre and ULFA, signifying a potentially historic step towards resolving long-standing conflicts and fostering peace in the region. Sources have also informed that ULFA chief negotiators and top pro-talk leaders Anup Chetia and Sashadhar Choudhury are in Delhi to finalise the deal with senior Home Ministry officials.

Key peace accord signing in New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah to be present

The historic and significant peace agreement between the Centre and ULFA is slated to be signed in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah to be present at the signing ceremony. Termed as the ‘mother of all peace deals’, the peace deal is poised to focus primarily on development policies, according to top sources familiar with the negotiations. Sources further indicate that 16 members representing ULFA are expected to attend the ceremony, along with the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The ULFA side will comprise eight signatories and eight witnesses for the agreement. Moreover, there's speculation of the attendance of high-ranking Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials and influential tribal leaders from Assam at the event.

What is the peace deal?

As the final details of the Assam peace deal take shape, significant components such as a financial aid package, scrutiny of the citizenship roster regarding illegal migrants, and innovative land reservation strategies are poised to feature prominently, according to credible sources close to the negotiations. Integral to this agreement will be provisions aimed at ensuring the rights and protection of the indigenous communities in Assam. These measures encompass a spectrum of political, economic, and cultural safeguards, all strategically designed to bolster the interests of these communities.

The ULFA were in the national capital last week, coinciding with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's visit to Delhi. The historic peace deal confirmation came after CM Sarma held crucial meetings during his stay with Tapan Kumar Deka, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Dinkar Gupta, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).  

ULFA's 12-point charter of demands

The pro-talk faction of ULFA presented a comprehensive 12-point charter of demands to the Centre. These demands, structured within broad groupings, include a status update on missing ULFA members, discussions on general amnesty for pending cases, and constitutional and political reforms.

1. A discussion on 'grounds for ULFA-PTF's struggle and their genuineness'
2. Status report on missing ULFA leaders and cadres
3. Constitutional and political arrangements and reforms, protection of the identity and material resources of the local indigenous population of Assam
4. Financial and economic arrangements
5. Settlement of all royalties on mines/minerals including oil on a retrospective compensatory basis and rights of independent use for a sustainable economic development in future
6. Illegal migration-its effect/impact and required remedies including sealing of international borders, river patrolling, development of a native force to man the borders
7. Ethnic issues-problems and constitutional restructuring including settlement of border disputes and removal of encroachment
8. Education and health-reforms as required to preserve the identity of the people of Assam and benefits, agricultural and rural development
9. Land and natural resources-including right of natives to the land, flood control and management, industrial growth, development of infrastructure, removal of transport bottleneck, development of entrepreneurial skill and efficiency in labour, availability of credit, infusion of capital-leading to industrial take off
10. Right to engage in specific relationship with foreign countries for promotion of mutual trade, commerce
11. Cultural relationship, restoration, protection, preservation and spread of indigenous culture of Assam in all its variety
12. Amnesty, reintegration and rehabilitation of ULFA members and affected people