<that Bangladesh (and Myanmar/Bhutan) are NOT safe havens for ULFA, and its all a smoke screen?>
Everything Goes !
mm
From: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "mc mahant" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Assam] Trouble in forgotten Assam - World News/ISN Security Watch
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:57:19 -0600
Dear Mukul da,>This is aimed at those with poor or no knowlecge of languages, >maps and terrain .> Serves one purpose well:
It could well be. But the news is from world news network. What interest would they have to take sides. Plus, I have also seen in many papers in Assam & elsewhere about cadres being rounded up in these places..Or are you suggesting that Bangladesh (and Myanmar/Bhutan) are NOT safe havens for ULFA, and its all a smoke screen?--Ram
On 1/20/07, mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:<Meanwhile, many ULFA cadres, including women, have been rounded up in neighboring Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh while attempting to cross into Myanmar (Burma), a safe haven along with Bangladesh for northeastern militants. >
This is aimed at those with poor or no knowlecge of languages, maps and terrain .
Serves one purpose well:
100+ million manipulated in their minds to believe "This Government is Good. This Government is capable.This Government can crush OUR ENEMIES. See what they are doing in OUR NORTH EAST! We must vote them to power in
U.P. "mm
From: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ASSAMNET < [email protected]>
Subject: [Assam] Trouble in forgotten Assam - World News/ISN Security Watch
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:38:27 -0600
Trouble in forgotten Assam
Another wave of violence in Assam is unlikely to unleash an appropriate response from New Delhi, which has shown little vigor in efforts to end the conflict in one of its poorest states.
Commentary by Animesh Roul for ISN Security Watch (17/01/07)The gruesome killing of over 60 Hindi-speaking migrant workers in the first week of
the new year by theUnited Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militants in India's northeastern state of Assam has spread fear and panic among laborers and shopkeepers. It is also triggering a large-scale exodus from the state as the army vows to end the 27-year campaign once and for all.
But some wonder whether New Delhi has the will to end the insurgency. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh only arrived at the scene some 10 days after the violence erupted. After all, the victims this time were not Assamese but Hindus.Local media quoted army sources as saying that "around 30 militants were specifically chosen by the outfit's top brass to carry out the targeted attacks on Hindi-speaking workers."
The Delhi-based Asian Center for Human Rights called the ULFA attack "barbaric" and urged the authorities to take appropriate measures "to ensure communal harmony" and provide "security to the target groups."
The attacks caught state intelligence and security officials napping, even though the ULFA had warned of the attacks on so-called "outsiders" through its official mouthpiece, theSwadhinata (Freedom), well in advance.
January's attacks are viewed as the ULFA's attempt to maneuver for a better bargaining position in negotiations with federal authorities in New Delhi. Among other things, the group has threatened to block India's biggest sporting event, the National Games, scheduled to be held in Assam in February and has demanded the release of some of its high-ranking leaders detained by the authorities. They want to pressure the government into another round of talks, perhaps to see another fragile truce to give them some downtime to rearm and regroup - as they have in the past.
In the meantime, thousands of Hindi-speaking migrant workers, primarily from neighboring Bihar, have fled Assam since the 5-7 January violence, especially from the Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar and Dhemaji districts. Many others have opted to seek shelter in government-run camps at Sepon Chokolia in Dibrugarh district and elsewhere.
The ULFA is clearly not put out by the ongoing "Operation Clear" army offensive in the state, which is intended to corner a resurgent group in its hideouts in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. And the threats have continued, with the group going as far as to warn that ruling Congress party leaders may be the next targets.A ULFA commander, Prabal Neog, warned that "no Congress worker would be spared if the army killed any Assamese youth during its operation."
The authorities have expressed half-hearted optimism for another round of parleys with the ULFA, clearly not convinced that a military solution would meet with any success. But the authorities have continued to flounder, simultaneously vowing that they would not compromise with theULFA and calling for new talks.Indeed, the ruling Congress governments have been criticized for their "lethargic" approach toward the ULFA in the past.
Even India's national security advisor, M K Narayanan, has said more peace talks with the ULFA would not happen, acknowledging the most recent six-week ceasefire last year that was nothing more than a "blunder" that gave the group time to rearm and plan its next move. The ULFA had reciprocated the government's 13 August 2006 unilateral ceasefire and vowed to halt violence for an indefinite period. However, the group refused to sit down at the negotiating table and was clearly carrying out underground activities during the period.
Meanwhile, many ULFA cadres, including women, have been rounded up in neighboring Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh while attempting to cross into Myanmar (Burma), a safe haven along with Bangladesh for northeastern militants.
The January attacks on Hindi-speaking Biharis is being considered the worst perpetrated by the ULFA in Assam. In 2000, the group's attempt to rid the state of all "outsiders" (non-Assamese) unleashed a reign of terror that saw over 150 Hindi-speaking migrant workers slain. In November 2003, the ULFA targeted "outsiders" in a wave of violence that saw some 55 people killed and prompted thousands to flee. Only Biharis alone are not specifically targeted by the ULFA.
Formed in 1979, the group once boasted strong popular support for its goal of establishing a sovereign socialist Assam through armed struggle. Some 27 years and 10,000 deaths later, it has been diluted and its goal tarnished by what many see as mindless acts of violence conducted by organized criminals more intent on holding on to wealth earned through extortion than "freedom" for Assam.
But the federal government has also balked at its own responsibilities, giving too little priority to the ongoing conflict in Assam - one of India's poorest states - and paying too little attention to the deplorable social conditions there that have fed the ULFA's cause.
Animesh Roul is a New Delhi-based correspondent and analyst for ISN Security Watch.
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