News Alert
Peace accord showing signs of breakdown
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Guwahati, January 16, 2012: Not even 3 months had passed since the signing of the historic tripartite peace accord between the militant outfit of Assam, the United People's Democratic Solidarity, and the central and the state government; it is already showing signs of a breakdown. After laying down arms on the December 14 following the signing of the treaty, the disbanded UPDS members partook of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council elections in Karbi Anglong District, only to face a defeat, winning just 8 seats under the banner of Peoples' Alliance for Peace Agreement (PAPA).
As of now, the UPDS has alleged the accord to be a failure. As such, the ceasefire outfit has written to the Home Minister P Chidambaram, expressing dissatisfaction with the peace treaty.
According to them, none of the points taken up in the tripartite accord has been fulfilled by the government. However, following the signing, the outfit had laid down their arms on December 14, as per the agreement, and the state government had announced the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council polls the very next day. As a result, the disbanded members of the outfit, seeking to take part in the political scheme of things in Karbi Anglong had contested in the elections, though unexpectedly failing to get a majority. UPDS Secretary Haren Sing Bey says,
“The Home Minister promised us a neutral government in Karbi Anglong. But he is not keeping his words. The peace initiative is not a story of success. It's a failure.”
The letter sent accused the government of failing the outfit by not installing a “neutral administration” during the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council elections. Chidambaram has more than once cited the UPDS success story to say that the government is interested in a dialogue with whoever gives up violence. The “failure” will mean Chidambaram can no longer show the UPDS example to attract more outfits, particularly in the Northeast, to come for talks.
According to the UPDS, it has found much to its chagrin that there is no “appreciation” of either laying down arms or coming to the negotiating table. And they have now warned the Centre and the state against any such repeat of hollow agreements, which could be a potential threat to the peace of Karbi Anglong.
