Central Govt Rules Out Division of Assam

By R Dutta Choudhury
 
Guwahati, Aug 11 : The Government of India has made it clear to all the militant groups talking to it that there would be no further division of Assam. Several of the militant groups, which are now talking to the Government, are demanding creation of separate states and the Government of India is persuading them to give up the demand.

Highly-placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that though several militant groups including the National Democratic Front of Boroland (P) have been demanding creation of separate states, the Government is against further division of Assam.

On the progress of the peace talks with different militant groups of Assam, sources said that the Government has not yet been able to decide what it could offer the NDFB(P). The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was formed in 2003 by amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and now the Government has not been able to decide what can be offered to the NDFB(P), sources admitted.

MHA sources said that though the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB has declared a unilateral ceasefire, the Government of India has decided to keep a close watch on the activities of the members of the group before taking any decision on suspending operations against the outfit.

Sources said that in the past also, the outfit declared unilateral ceasefire but members of the outfit indulged in unlawful activities. Moreover, hardcore members of the outfit including the commander in chief IK Sanbijit are in Myanmar, while, another hardcore member B Bidai sometimes visit Bhutan. Under the circumstances, the Government would closely monitor the activities of the NDFB members before taking any decision.

Sources said that talks with United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) are in the final stage and only the date for signing of an accord is to be decided. The outfit was also demanding creation of a separate state but sources refused to divulge the details of the agreement reached in the talks between Government and the outfit. “The details will be made public only after the formal agreement is signed,” sources added.

However, the Government of India is trying to persuade the KLNLF to sign the same agreement as both the UPDS and the KLNLF represent the same area. The KLNLF is also demanding creation of a separate state and the outfit has not yet agreed to sign the agreement reached between the Government and the UPDS, sources added.

Sources said that talks with the Dima Halam Daogah is also progressing satisfactorily and a formal agreement can be expected within months.