[Assam] Revised: ULFA’S minimalist acknowledgement of India’s unilateral ceasefire with the ULFA was a ‘master stroke’ as State declared ceasefires are internationally binding and has recognised the ULFA as the legitimate representative of the Assam State.

[Bartta Bistar]

*Ceasefire was a blunder: Assam CM Tarun Gogoi*

http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=79743

By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati, Jan 15: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi
Monday said the government's six-week ceasefire to the outlawed United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was a blunder with the rebels taking
advantage of the truce to regroup and spread out their cadres across the
state.

"In retrospect, I admit the judgment may be a little wrong when we offered a
ceasefire to the ULFA," Gogoi told IANS in an exclusive interview.

"Our intentions were positive and done in good faith thinking the ULFA would
come for peace talks, but they utilised the truce to regroup, collected
arms, and then spread out their cadres to different parts of the state," he
said.

The federal government on Aug 13 announced a unilateral ceasefire initially
for 10 days for the ULFA to shun violence and come for talks. The rebel
group reciprocated the gesture by announcing an indefinite truce.

"It is true that the security operations were slow during this ceasefire
period as we sincerely believed the ULFA would come to the negotiating
table. It was a gambit, but then the ULFA belied our trust," Gogoi said.

But on Sep 24, the central government called off the ceasefire and resumed
military operations blaming the outfit for stepping up violence and
extortions.

"The ULFA definitely lacks sincerity in holding talks," the chief minister
said.

The ULFA, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, went on
a killing spree for four straight days beginning Jan 5 by targeting migrant
workers in eastern Assam.

Some 73 people were killed in the mayhem, 61 of them being migrant workers,
mainly from Bihar.

On Jan 8, a massive counter-insurgency operation was launched in Assam and
adjoining Arunachal Pradesh state where the ULFA have set up bases to carry
out their hit-and-run guerrilla strikes.

"The operations are going on in full swing, but then the hostile terrain is
proving to be an advantage for the ULFA. They are not located in one
particular area where the soldiers can go and just capture them," Gogoi
said.

"The ULFA militants are now on the run and crossing over from Assam to
Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and even Nagaland and our troops cannot enter all
the places."

The ULFA have training camps in Myanmar's northern Sagaing division.

But despite the geographical disadvantage, security forces have managed some
early success.

"You cannot expect instant results although we have managed some results
already in the early operations," the chief minister said.

--- IANS
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