GUWAHATI: The escapes of the four hard-liners of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) from Guwahati Jail calls into question Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikias claim that all is quiet on the ULFA front.
It has also exposed the vulnerability of the administrative machinery in the face of any ULFA offensive
The Chief Minister had stated that not a single shot was fired by ULFA since the outfits representatives first met Prime Minister P.V Narasimha Rao on January 12 this year and claiming that this was proof of the organizations intention to lay down arms.
Saikia has all along been denying the suggestion that ULFAs aim in entering into talks with the Government was merely to gain time for regrouping. In fact this is the principal difference in the perception of New Delhi and Dispur.
Being a man in the field directly dealing with the situation the Assam Chief Minister could prevail upon others to go ahead with his idea in spite of the Home Ministers known reservations on issues like general amnesty — and providing rehabilitation money amounting to Rs 110 corer for ULFA cadres. .
Periodic extensions of cease fire in selected areas have caused a lot of resentment in Home Ministry and Defence Ministry circles. It is likely that those advocating a crackdown on ULFA hawks will now try to revers what they consider a policy of conciliation. In fact the feedback reaching the authorities vindicates their stance.
ULFA is apparently split in to two factions for and against the talks but a common meeting point is still discernible.
Thus top leaders Arabinda Rajkhowa Pradip Gogoi and Golap Barua went back to the path of armed insurgency after themselves initiating the peace process.
Hiteswar Saikia tried to put brave face when he said the jail break would in no way hamper the peace process but he will clearly be on the defensive now. His last hope seems to be ULFA Deputy Commander-in-Chief Chakra Gohain who has sought two weeks to bring other lea to the negotiating table.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1992
