Dear Nayanjyoti Medhi, We have read your comments in Assamonline where you wrote,
"Times have changed. The boys are disillusioned after living in jungle camps with mosquitoes and malaria, killing, avoiding the bullets of the Indian security forces, and no real destination in sight. To the mainstream Assamese the ULFA is no longer a struggle for national salvation but one that keeps normal life disturbed. Is it not the time to rethink and ask the people what they want? The ULFA should ask the people if the Assamese people see the ULFA movement as a beneficial and healthy activity for the betterment of the Assamese people? Do the Assamese people really feel they are not part of India and are being exploited by New Delhi? Now the final question is that whether The ULFA movement is something that is wanted by the people of Assam and supported by them or is it something which is being imposed on them." We find that your statement is a mere repetition of what the unified command structure has been saying for the last twenty eight years. We do not accept such views. The colonial administration has been trying to steer the fate of the liberation struggle of Asom to their liking for the past 28 years. You have put emphasis on the changes the administration has brought in. But, why the struggle by thousands of freedom fighters in a tough situation created by fifth columnists facing uncertain future is still ongoing has not been highlighted by you? The ULFA has admitted of civilian casuality in unfortunate circumstances(viz suddenly appearing during firing) while conducting operations against the enemy. Anticipating such casualities we have publicly requested people not to be with the occupation forces or in close proximity of the military camps or otherwise. The murder of engineer Ajay Deka and the old woman Sabitri Rajbangshi has proven again our contention that the unified command structure has been involved in these crimes in a planned manner to malign the ULFA. Some may not believe our position, but, they should not believe the unified command structure's assertions either. You are talking about people supporting the unified structure but there is no mention of the need for independent inquiry into their operations leading to human suffering and deaths. Hence we find your views biased. We are saying that there are masses who want an independent Asom. We have demanded a plebiscite on the restoration of Asom's sovereignty under the supervision of the United Nations. We have declared long time ago that we shall accept the verdict of the people. Pre-judging of a possible negative outcome of such a plebiscite conducted in a environment fee of fear, surely is not devoid of prejudices? Instead of discussing how such an environment be created, saying that the United Nations won't agree to a plebiscite, is not like plucking a solution from the thin air? Why do you have to be dependent on whether India will agree to it or not? Without gauzing the true depth what the majority of people of Asom wants, based on a opinion poll conducted at the behest of the army and the police and use of the internet voting available only o some town dwellers, you suggest be the decisive verdict on the fate of the land and the people? Is it not very childish to talk like this? With warm wishes Rubi Bhuyan "Nayanjyoti Medhi" [EMAIL PROTECTED] [email protected] 28 years have gone by since the start of the liberation struggle by the United Liberation Front of Assam. Many boys have died and their bodies rest in unmarked graves in jungles of Bhutan, Arunachal, Myanmar and still many have died in their own backyards. Many are languishing in the different jails all throughout Assam. Many have surrendered and joined the mainstream. Not only the boys, with them many civilians who did not have anything to do with liberation have given their lives in this ongoing struggle between the state and the liberation army. United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was formed on April 7, 1979 at the Rang Ghar in Sibsagar to establish a "sovereign socialist Assam" through an armed struggle. Of course, there was an initial euphoria and an unnaturally heightened sense of alienation because of the step motherly attitude of the Indian Government in the initial stages of the movement. The truth has since been gradually realised and that sense of alienation has died. Times have changed. The boys are disillusioned after living in jungle camps with mosquitoes and malaria, killing, avoiding the bullets of the Indian security forces, and no real destination in sight. To the mainstream Assamese the ULFA is no longer a struggle for national salvation but one that keeps normal life disturbed. Is it not the time to rethink and ask the people what they want? The ULFA should ask the people if the Assamese people see the ULFA movement as a beneficial and healthy activity for the betterment of the Assamese people? Do the Assamese people really feel they are not part of India and are being exploited by New Delhi? Now the final question is that whether The ULFA movement is something that is wanted by the people of Assam and supported by them or is it something which is being imposed on them. Nayanjyoti Medhi Advocate Gauhati High Court Chamber: Satya Bora Lane, Dighalipukhuri East Guwahati-781001, Assam Phone: +91 361 2416960 +91 94350 43007 Email: nayanjyoti.medhi@ gmail.com
