Fragile North East peace process raises concerns
2008-09-28 [12:57:58 hrs] | | | Ceasefire with militant groups in the Northeast has almost always led to fratricidal killings. |
| | | In the fragile peace process with a section of ULFA, the leadership has now brought serious charges against the army of not helping the ceasefire work on ground.
ULFA's Shashanka Baruah was killed in an encounter with the army in Assam-Arunachal border last week.
Just three months ago these ULFA boys were insurgent, but today they are running a peace initiative. But the first encounter death after the ceasefire is raising uneasy questions.
With a group of ULFA alleging that the Army is trying to break the ceasefire, the government agencies are saying that fratricidal killings have started.
"Our family is convinced that my brother didn't die in an encounter, it was a conspiracy," said B Gogoi.
The outfit's 28th Battalion, which is actually a breakaway group, alleges the Army of trying to derail the peace process.
"The positive attitude that was expected from the Army is not visible yet and we suspect that they want the derail the peace process and this encounter has only proven it. For the Army conflict means money and promotion. Pressure from top to nab insurgents forces them into fake encounters or surrender," said Mrinal Hazarika, Commander, 28th Battalion ULFA.
This is a serious charge and though the Army refused to speak officially, it has denied all allegations. Everyone knows the stakes are high and the peace process is very fragile. |
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