Guwahati: Six insurgent groups are currently active in Assam while 12 others in talks with the Centre and the state government, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Rockybul Hussain said on Monday.
Six groups — ULFA’s anti-talk faction, National Democratic Front of Bodoland’s (NDFB) anti-talk faction, Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) — are active in the state, Hussain said replying to a question in the House.
Hussain said outfits in talks were NDFB’s Progressive faction, ULFA’s pro-talk faction, Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), Birsa Commando Force, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA), Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), Hmar Peoples’ Convention-Democratic, Adivasi Peoples’ Army, All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) and Santhal Tiger Force.
The Ranjan Daimary faction of NDFB and the National Saotal Liberation Army (NSLA) have declared unilateral ceasefire, Hussain said while replying on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Home Affairs portfolio, said.
Two groups — Bengali Tigers Force (BTF) and United Liberation Front of Barak Valley — have already surrendered. Settlement has been reached by the central and state governments with the United Peoples’ Democratic Solidarity and the two factions of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD).
“However, details regarding the progress of talks with various outfits cannot be disclosed now,” Hussain said. On cases faced by leaders and cadres of outfits in talks, he said, “We will not lift the cases faced by them. The cases will be dealt by the courts and judiciary.”
Replying to a supplementary by AIUDF MLA Sherman Ali that insurgents killing innocent people are being given VIP treatment, Hussain said, certain policies have been framed by the central government to deal with groups and their cadres during negotiation.
“We will not allow cadres staying in designated camps to be involved in anti-social activities and any such case will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
Globally also certain rules are followed by governments during negotiations with insurgent outfits, he said.
A monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 is provided to each cadre belonging to groups engaged in peace talks.
Asked about efforts to bring back ULFA’s General Secretary Anup Chetia from Bangladesh, the minister said the central government is pursuing the repatriation issue. (PTI)