05-31-2008, 04:39 AM
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People's anger erupts
The Pioneer Edit Desk
ULFA on the run in Assam
The GOC 4 Corps, Lt Gen BS Jaswal, has provided an indication of the popular mood in Assam by disclosing that in recent months the people, tired of insurgency-related violence, have lynched seven militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom in separate incidents. The militants were set upon while they were trying to extort money or indulge in terrorism. This act of public revulsion against the ULFA has been described by the senior Army officer as a paradigm shift in the attitude of the people of Assam towards the militant group. The ULFA maintains it is fighting for an independent homeland for the people of Assam. For years, this claim has not been without a certain amount of sympathy and patronage. But recent incidents of bombings in crowded places and the slaughter of innocent civilians has resulted in revulsion overwhelming marginal support. Over the last few years, the ULFA's support base has dwindled with people on many occasions taking to the streets to protest violence -- something that was rarely witnessed a couple of years ago. The fact that the people have lynched seven militants shows just how angry they are with the organisation and its violent acts. Seeing the growing outrage against the ULFA, the Assam Government, which in the past has shown little or no courage in dealing with the separatists, on Thursday announced that it will hold talks with the organisation only within the ambit of the Constitution and that the militants must renounce violence before joining any peace process. The change in the Government's approach, influenced by the prevailing mood, can be gauged from the fact that in the past it had consistently taken a soft line, offering to hold talks without any preconditions.
The impact of the tide turning against the militants is also evident from the large number of ULFA activists surrendering before authorities -- in the past one year alone, an estimated 600 cadre have laid down arms and given up the path of terror. Most of the cadre have gone on record saying they are desperate to return to the mainstream. No doubt many of them are scared of meeting the same fate as their comrades who have been lynched, but there are also those who are disillusioned with corrupt leaders who clearly exploit both cadre and society for no other purpose than to feather their nests. The Army, which is involved with security operations against ULFA and other insurgent groups in the State, is now hopeful of getting vital intelligence inputs from the people who once sheltered ULFA militants. The killing or capturing of close to 80 top ULFA leaders in the last one year is an indicator how public anger can work against insurgency and terrorism. We have seen this happen in other parts of the country, most notably in Punjab. It could now be Assam's turn.
People's anger erupts
The Pioneer Edit Desk
ULFA on the run in Assam
The GOC 4 Corps, Lt Gen BS Jaswal, has provided an indication of the popular mood in Assam by disclosing that in recent months the people, tired of insurgency-related violence, have lynched seven militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom in separate incidents. The militants were set upon while they were trying to extort money or indulge in terrorism. This act of public revulsion against the ULFA has been described by the senior Army officer as a paradigm shift in the attitude of the people of Assam towards the militant group. The ULFA maintains it is fighting for an independent homeland for the people of Assam. For years, this claim has not been without a certain amount of sympathy and patronage. But recent incidents of bombings in crowded places and the slaughter of innocent civilians has resulted in revulsion overwhelming marginal support. Over the last few years, the ULFA's support base has dwindled with people on many occasions taking to the streets to protest violence -- something that was rarely witnessed a couple of years ago. The fact that the people have lynched seven militants shows just how angry they are with the organisation and its violent acts. Seeing the growing outrage against the ULFA, the Assam Government, which in the past has shown little or no courage in dealing with the separatists, on Thursday announced that it will hold talks with the organisation only within the ambit of the Constitution and that the militants must renounce violence before joining any peace process. The change in the Government's approach, influenced by the prevailing mood, can be gauged from the fact that in the past it had consistently taken a soft line, offering to hold talks without any preconditions.
The impact of the tide turning against the militants is also evident from the large number of ULFA activists surrendering before authorities -- in the past one year alone, an estimated 600 cadre have laid down arms and given up the path of terror. Most of the cadre have gone on record saying they are desperate to return to the mainstream. No doubt many of them are scared of meeting the same fate as their comrades who have been lynched, but there are also those who are disillusioned with corrupt leaders who clearly exploit both cadre and society for no other purpose than to feather their nests. The Army, which is involved with security operations against ULFA and other insurgent groups in the State, is now hopeful of getting vital intelligence inputs from the people who once sheltered ULFA militants. The killing or capturing of close to 80 top ULFA leaders in the last one year is an indicator how public anger can work against insurgency and terrorism. We have seen this happen in other parts of the country, most notably in Punjab. It could now be Assam's turn.