[ALOCHONA] BOOK REVIEW : ULFA & The Insurgency in Assam

BOOK REVIEW : ULFA & The Insurgency in Assam 

Professor Dilara Chowdhury, PhD
Adorn Publications, 
Dhaka, 2012, pps.304
Price: Taka 750, ISBN-978-984-20-0292-2
 
The book under review is an interesting book and it's about the politics and history of India's troubled Northeast region called Seven Sisters consisting of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal provinces, most of which, as discerned from the book, are infested with numerous insurgencies waged by the dissatisfied ethnic groups, spread over the entire region, against the Indian State. These insurgencies, as mentioned by the author, are rooted in socio-economic deprivations of the minority groups, fight for the preservation of their culture/identity, and in many case their outright demands for self-determination. 

Although not explicit but it is evidenced that despite adoption of liberal nationalism as the basis of Indian nationhood, Indian state is still besieged with its nation-building problems. One of the major security concerns of New Delhi is, thus, emanates from the activities of these insurgent groups. Bangladesh's proximity to this region, in this context, especially having common borders with Assam, Tripura and Manipur, makes its policies towards New Delhi, a very important component in New Delhi's security calculations.

The book basically is about United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA), and the largest and quite powerful indigenous insurgency outfit, which has been fighting for an independent Assam since 7 April 1979. Their  activities are, however, not confined within Assam but spill over the borders to neighbouring states like Bangladesh, in terms of having sanctuary/shelter, and other activities, and such developments unfortunately draws Dhaka also into the fray. For these very reasons, the author writes in the introduction that the book is specifically meant for the Bangladeshi people most of whom (except the political circles and the elites) have been quite unaware of ULFA's existence and its objectives.

Chapter one begins with the dramatic event of Mr. Anup Chetia, Secretary General of ULFA, being arrested from a residential area of Dhaka by Bangladeshi law-enforcing agencies in 1998. Since his arrest up to his conviction for violating Bangladeshi laws, Anup Chetia, held in Bangladeshi jail, has been seeking political asylum while Indian authority wants Bangladesh to extradite him to New Delhi. The author is right about the fact that Bangladeshis in general came to know about ULFA and its activities due to Anup Chetia incident. He also analyzes how this powerful insurgency outfit split into two factions into pro-negotiation and anti-negotiation with regard to its dealings with New Delhi following subsequent arrests of its top-ranking leaders excepting its military commander Paresh Barua in 2009, making the outfit's future uncertain. The author, however, remains silent and does not discuss Dhaka's role in this far-reaching development.

Author's contributions in chapters two and three are noteworthy. Chapter two is an in depth study of Assam's history beginning with region's mythology, ancient kingdoms, British annexation of Assam to how and when Assam was made a part of Indian Union as the British withdrew from the subcontinent in 1947. A clear picture emerges about a region, which is rich in mineral resources with an array of indigenous inhabitants but underdeveloped and poorly managed than the rest of British India, and how this land of plenty attracted outsiders, most whom were from Bengal. Assamese i.e. the indigenous groups' first ever agitation in independent India was directed towards the 'foreigners' along with their demands for autonomy. ULFA, which wants an independent state of Assam, has been, in that context, a logical development, even after states were reorganized in the area, and this time due to New Delhi's 'negligence' and  'exploitation.'

In chapter three, readers get a detailed and informative picture about ULFA's origin, structure, objectives, strategies, current difficulties it faces and modus vevendi for procuring arms. The sensational ten trucks cache of arms and ammunitions captured by Bangladeshi police in 2004, alleged to be meant for ULFA in Assam was discussed in this chapter that would be of immense interest of Bangladeshis. The author touches upon the fact that the activities of such insurgent groups who can easily cross over to their adjoining states bedevil inter-state relations. Further analysis of an important matter like capturing of ten trucks arms cache would have certainly enhanced the content of the book.

In the epilogue, the author has given a stunning account and typologies of insurgent groups of the past and present operating across the globe. Those who are interested in studying insurgency, why is it adopted and how is it conducted, would find it very useful. It is interesting to note that   success or failure of every insurgency, most of the time, depends on outside help. The book ends with an impressive collection of documents, which serious students of politics and international relations will, again, find useful.

Mr. Mahfuz Ullah has done a remarkable job in his attempts to make ourselves familiarize with one of the insurgent groups, operating in Northeast India, like ULFA and its activities. The book, however, is high on narrative but a little short of in depth analysis. On the whole, I highly recommend the book to students of Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, academia as well as to those who are interested in the politics of Northeast India and its impact on Dhaka. It is certainly a most welcome addition in the literature of politics and history of South Asia.

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