[Assam] ULFA : Demand for full autonomy of Assam

[kamal deka]

The state of Assam can't be the exclusive preserve of ULFA ( Pro-talk ).You
folks,therefore,don't represent the people of Assam.The Assamese people may
have different wishes and aspirations.
KJ Deka
Houton,Texas

On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 12:29 AM, ULFA Pro-talk <ulfa.protalk at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear Friends,
>
>
>
> In the beginning, we convey our heartiest revolutionary greetings to the
> members of Assamnet. We, the members of ULFA ( Pro-talk ) held a meeting on
> 15th December’2008 and unanimously agreed to give up the demand of a
> sovereign state of Assam and demand for full autonomy within the framework
> of Indian constitution, through a democratic and non-violent process. We
> welcome discussion from all the Assamese people residing across the globe
> on
> the demand for Full Autonomy of Assam under the framework of Indian
> constitution. We are attaching herewith the 'Charter of Demands' submitted
> to the Government of Indi. Also, we are attaching our Menifesto for
> information of all members of Assamnet. Please log on to
> www.sandhikhyan.orgfor updates.
>
>
>
> Looking forward for constructive discussion and petronisation on the
> burning
> issues of Assam from all the members of Assamnet.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Jiten Dutta
>
> Gen. Secy
>
> ULFA (Protalk)
>
> **
>
> **
>
> *MANIFESTO*
>
> (ULFA PRO-TALK)
>
>
>
> Historically and socially, Assam have no affinity with India &
> administratively and geographically apart, ethnically distinct and the
> neglect, deprivation and apathy rowards Assam and Assamese people
> since 15thAugust 1947 to till to date, supports the justification of
> independent
> Assam. We joined the United Liberation Front of Assam to liberate Assam
> from
> India. After 29 years of our struggle we have painfully observed that top
> leaders of ULFA instead of fighting for desired goals, failed to safeguard
> the identity and the existence of indigenous people, overlooking or
> ignoring
> the presence of large number of illegal immigrants ( who will become
> majority in next 20 years and they will conspire to merge with Bangladesh
> through a referendum ) and involved in activities by getting distracted
> from
> revolutionaries ideologies. Therefore, we the pro-talk  ULFA group looking
> at the (a) global political and economic situation (b) continuous threat
> from the neighbouring countries surrounding Assam (c) possible terrorist
> attacks in Assam by anti-Indian religious and fundamentalist groups (d)
> age-old religious and cultural ties with India; have adopted a resolution
> in
> favour of Full Regional Autonomy instead of independent Assam as a
> pragmatic
> approach.
>
>
>
> During the process of making the Constitution of India a resolution was
> adopted to make India a federal one by giving regional autonomy to states
> but unfortunately in the subsequent period it was made a centralized one,
> resulting in the smaller states and the small indigenous groups having
> specific characteristics and living with dignity have suffered in the hands
> of big ethnic groups and states by way of aggression and exploitation. The
> fallout is resentment, hostility and secessionism. We the pro-talk group
> temporarily suspending the armed struggle & strongly advocating and demand
> democratic process to bring a peaceful and political solution to
> Assam-India’s conflict and clashes between the ethnic groups and to build
> up
> a peaceful and prosperous Assam along with a united powerful India.
>
> **
>
> *Alternate to Independence*
>
> * *
>
> A full regional autonomy by enjoying all the residual powers excepting
>  defense,
> external affaires, communications and print mint ( by making vital changes
> to the existing Constitution of India ) to build up a real federal
> structure
> by making vital changes to the infrastructure and reorganizing the states
> with a provision for equal rights and representation to all indigenous and
> ethnic groups. Similarly, in order to safeguard the identity and existence
> of indigenous and ethnic groups, the federal administrative framework
> should
> be used in Assam.
>
>
>
> *Proposed administrative structure of Assam*
>
> * *
>
> To create an upper house, representing equally by all the indigenous and
> the
> ethnic groups. Besides all indigenous people, other people those who have
> already settled in Assam permanently as for example Bengalis, Biharis,
> Marwaris, Punjabis, Nepalis and tea-tribes will be considered as ethnic
> groups and will enjoy equal representations.
>
>
>
>                          The upper house will be free to discuss, determine
> and taking decisions on the proposed legislations and development schemes
> of
> Assam in the best interest of the people of Assam. The objective principle
> of the house is to safeguard the interests of indigenous and ethnic people.
>
>
>
>   1. The Upper House will be constituted selecting and electing number of
>   representatives from all ethnic groups. Central and State governments
> will
>   not be having the power and rights to dissolve the house. Only the
>   electorates through referendum shall have the right to reject or dissolve
>   the house.
>   2. Small ethnic groups will be having the rights to select
>   representatives through their socially recognized institutions and
>   organizations and the major ethnic groups will elect their
> representatives
>   through elections.
>   3. All the ethnic groups shall have the right to recall or replace their
>   representatives.
>   4. The representatives of the house will elect a leader and a deputy
>   leader. Rotation wise every ethnic group will elect a speaker and a
> deputy
>   speaker of the house and their term will be for a period of 1 year.
>   5. The responsibilities of the representatives of upper house will be a
>   service- oriented nature. There shall be no provisions for salary and
>   pensions but expenses relating to maintenance, medical, traveling
>   allowances, office and its maintenance and its security shall be borne by
>   the state government.
>
>
>
>
>
> *The Rights and Powers of Upper House *
>
> * *
>
>   1. Right to discuss, analyze and taking decisions on all proposed laws
>   and legislations and developmental schemes of Assam by ascertaining
> whether
>   it is in the best interest of Assam or not and will be free to amend or
>   reject such laws, legislations and schemes and such actions cannot be
>   disapproved by the concerned governments.
>   2. The main objective of upper house is to safeguard the existence and
>   development of all the indigenous and ethnic groups and to examine the
>   proper implementations of all the laws, legislations and developmental
>   schemes.
>   3. It will be statutory on the part of the concerned governments to send
>   the copies relating to the approval and implementation of all laws,
>   legislations and developmental schemes to the upper house.
>   4. Rights to amend , settle the matters relating to the disputes of
>   implementation of laws, legislations, developmental schemes, ethnic
>   conflicts, boundary and other disputes with the neighbouring
> north-eastern
>   states on the strength of majority support of the representatives. It
> shall
>   be obligatory on the part of the concerned governments to accept such
>   amendments and advices and to implement the same
>
>
>
>
>
> *An administrative system based on Equal Rights, Status, and Development in
> their own land for indigenous and ethnic people.*
>
> * *
>
> In the proposed regional autonomous administration, the power will be
> de-centralized by creating district councils and by delegating powers to
> the
> grass root levels. There will be zonal and village councils under district
> councils.
>
>
>
>  District councils will be under the complete control of the major
> indigenous people or groups and the other small indigenous and ethnic
> groups
> will be able to assert their rights and fulfillment of their aspirations
> through the zonal and village councils. While the implementing these
> provisions a situation may warrant to reorganize some districts.
>
>
>
> There will be no hindrances to major indigenous people or group to form
> district councils, having a definite area of their own but the splintered
> indigenous and ethnic groups will be able to assert their rights and
> fulfill
> their aspirations through zonal and village councils.
>
>
>
> *Proposed Format of Administrative Structure Of Indigenous and Ethnic
> People.*
>
> * *
>
> *STATE GOVERNMENT*
>
> * *
>
> *DISTRICT COUNCIL*
>
> * *
>
> *ZONAL COUNCIL*
>
> * *
>
> *VILLAGE COUNCIL*
>
> * *
>
> *Creation of Ethnically based Administrative System and its Rights and
> Powers*
>
> * *
>
>   1. In every 5 years people will form districts, zonal and village
>   councils through elections.
>   2. Every district council will be reserved for the major indigenous
>   groups and the zonal and the village councils will be reserved on the
> basis
>   of the population composition of indigenous and ethnic people from their
>   definite areas.
>   3. Government shall implement all the schemes through district councils
>   and similarly district council through zonal councils and zonal councils
>   through village councils.
>   4. If a situation warrants, the state governments with approval from the
>   upper house will be free to dissolve the district council.
>   5. District councils will collect minimum revenue from the land,
>   establishments and other natural resources, market and finished products
>   through zonal and village councils of their areas.
>
>
>
>
>
> *ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL***
>
>
>
> An alternative administrative system may be considered in the proposed
> autonomous rule against the above-mentioned system.
>
>   1. Under proposed autonomous state of Assam there will be a district
>   council in every district. 65% of the seats will be reserved for all the
>   major indigenous groups who are residing or permanently settled down
> before
>   1826. 20%  will be reserved for all the other indigenous people of the
>   districts. 15% of the seats will be reserved for other ethnic people. 5%
> of
>   the seats will be reserved for qualified persons from the origin of other
>   states and foreign countries.
>   2. Similarly in all public and private sector institutions and
>   organizations of the districts there shall be reservations of 60% for the
>   indigenous people, 35% for all other ethnic people and 5% for the persons
>   from the origin of other states and foreign countries from the same
> district
>   in respect of employment.
>   3. Top priority should be given to the indigenous people of the districts
>   in respect to allotment of lands.
>   4. A sizeable  share of the revenue earned by the district council will
>   be utilized for the all round socio-economic development of the people of
>   the districts through work programmes with independent economic power.
>
>
>
> In Assam, Karbi-Anglong and north cachar hills are enjoying the status of
> autonomous districts. Similarly the bodo-inhabited areas are being
> recognized as BTAD since 2001. Therefore the proposed autonomous state of
> Assam all the above-mentioned district councils will continue to enjoy
> territorial, political status and powers. However in case of necessity for
> the betterment, developments and the rights of the people, the number of
> representatives by changing the ratio, ( increase or decrease ), may take
> place in respect of appointments and employments.
>
>
>
> *Rights over the Natural Resources of Assam*
>
> * *
>
>   1. Assam government will have full rights over all the natural resources
>   of Assam including its exploration and utilization. The government shall
>   seek approval for exploration and utilization of all natural resources
> from
>   the upper house.
>   2. A share of dividend will be ensured to the central government with the
>   approval of upper house.
>   3. New exploration of natural resources can be done only by abiding the
>   terms and conditions laid down or with the approval of upper house.
>   4. Any big business group intending to set up industry or do
>   business-utilizing natural resources of Assam can be established only by
>   abiding the terms and conditions laid down or with approval of upper
> house.
>   5. Necessary steps will be taken to collect detailed information
>   regarding all the natural resources of Assam by way of proper and correct
>   survey.
>
>
>
> *New Land and Revenue Laws*
>
> * *
>
> Introducing  new land and revenue laws giving full rights of land to the
> indigenous people by abolishing Assam Land and Revenue Acts of 1886
> introduced by the Britishers.
>
>   1. In accordance to such laws no land can be transferred or sold to other
>   than the indigenous people.
>   2. Local people can retain their land under their occupation but can not
>   transfer or sale other than the indigenous people.
>   3. To ensure and issue of periodic pattas to the indigenous people of
>   their land holdings.
>   4. To recover the illegally occupied ceiling surplus lands by the
>   tea-estates by way of acquisition and allot the same to the landless tea
>   garden workers. In this respect 80% of the said land will be kept
> reserved
>   for the landless tea-garden workers belonging to the tea-estates from
> where
>   land ceiling surplus will be recovered.
>   5. Arrangements will be made to allot the char-areas to the genuine
>   citizens by way of proper and correct land survey. ( This will check the
>   illegal infiltration )
>   6. In consultation with the upper house the government of Assam shall
>   impose tax  and collect revenues in respect of natural resources and its
>   products.
>   7. Besides natural resources the government of Assam with approval from
>   the upper house will collect revenue as fixed up through zonal council
> and
>   village councils under the district councils on other products and land,
>   markets, institutions and organizations.
>   8. Revenue fixation will be done as per joint decision of upper house and
>   government of Assam and the entire share of revenue earned will be in the
>   account of the government of Assam.
>
>
>
> *Towards Safeguarding the Identity and Existence of the Indigenous People*
>
> * *
>
>   1. To identify Indian citizens and foreign nationals by preparing a
>   revised and correct National Register of Citizens on the basis of NRC
> 1951.
>   2. Introducing dual citizenship by issuing photo-identity cards, people
>   and groups other than indigenous and ethnic groups will be restricted
> from
>   enjoying political powers.
>   3. To introduce inner-line permits.
>   4. Detected foreigners should be kept in the camps in specific zones and
>   to deport them phase wise to the country of their origin.
>   5. To seal the international borders completely attached to India as well
>   as with the north-eastern region.
>   6. Arrangements should be made to deport the detected foreign nationals
>   phase wise through bi-lateral agreements with the concerned countries. In
>   this respect a diplomatic measure or steps should be taken against
> probable
>   international political reaction.
>
>
>
> *Towards Cultural development*
>
>
>
> Culture is the refined and sophisticated shape, emerging out of all mental
> and physical exercises for the all round development of human living. To
> establish the people of “proposed autonomous state of Assam“ as a refined ,
> culturally sophisticated race, it is essentially important to build up a
> well organized healthy rural economy. Therefore :-
>
>   1. Soil testing to be done of all lands of every zone to make lands
>   suitable and more productive for agricultural practices as per
> agro-climatic
>   conditions and to make arrangements to export its products to other
> states
>   as well as to the foreign countries.
>   2. To create a strong infrastructure and markets in every zone to ensure
>   the farmers to get remunerative prices for their agricultural products by
>   way of removing middleman.
>   3. To restrict the import of luxurious products and priority will be
>   given to the production and import of essential commodities.
>   4. To set up cottage industries using local and easily available raw
>   materials of agricultural and forest products to strengthen economy and
>   arrangements will be made for its necessary technical higher training and
> up
>   to date machineries.
>   5. Arrangements will be made ensuring availability of loans from
>   financial institutions to the youths of Assam against agriculture,
> business
>   and setting up industries.
>   6. To develop an Assamese culture combining all indigenous and ethnic art
>   and culture. The main objective of developing a combined Assamese culture
> is
>   to build a refined cultured and powerful race.
>   7. A strong base is to be founded to shape up a regional culture by
>   removing the social ills and combining all the finer cultural elements of
>   north-east and simultaneously to build up north-east as well as Assam
> based
>   regional economy against major market economy.
>   8. A policy of technical education is to be introduced by abandoning the
>   spiritual and adopting a scientific approach. The prime objective of this
>   policy is to make the younger generation more competent, confident,
>   pragmatic and patriot.
>   9.  To introduce three language formula i.e, indigenous language, English
>   and Assamese as a link language. Existing Bengali and Hindi medium
> schools
>   will continue as usual as additionally but there shall be restrictions of
>   opening of new schools of any other local language. ( More debates and
>   discussions will be required in this regard )
>
>
>
> *Judiciary and Elections*
>
> * *
>
> Election commission and judiciary will be fully autonomous bodies in the
> proposed ‘ Autonomous state of Assam’. ( It will be free from interventions
> and interference of the central and state governments ). Creation of
> federal
> India will be necessarily making vital changes to the existing constitution
> of India and simultaneously all the laws and legislations relating to its
> institutions and organizations will also be changed in respect of giving a
> new constitutional shape to Assam.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Natural Calamity*
>
> * *
>
> Priority is to be given for construction of small Dam’s across the quick
> flowing small rivers  for generation of hydro-electric power against big
> Dam’s. Ro check land erosions and annual visiting floods, scientific and
> technical measures are to be adopted and paralleled organizing and
> utilizing
> the human resources.
>
>
>
> *Our view point : In respect of indigenous and ethnic *
>
> * *
>
>   1. *Indigenous* : Internationally the Steve Hagner’s theory in regard to
>   indigenous people has been recognized widely and by the majority.
> Therefore,
>   on the basis of Steve Hagner’s theory the definition of indigenous is
> being
>   determined in the context of Assam from our view point. As per the said
>   definition people those who were living within a definite territory prior
> to
>   colonial rule or occupied by foreign powers through invasion will be
>   considered ‘INDIGENOUS’. Hence as per Steve Hagner’s theory, the people
>   those who were living within the territory of Assam prior to British
>   colonial rule will be considered as ‘ INDIGENOUS’
>   2. *Ethnic* : On the other hand from our view point, with the emergence
>   of British colonial rule to 1971 those who have migrated settled and
>   assimilated with the indigenous people will be considered as ethnic
> people.
>   In this regard we would like to clarify that in spite of tremendous
>   controversy the ‘Assam Accord ‘is being accepted by the people in general
> in
>   Assam. Therefore, the cut off year of determining and detection of
> foreign
>   nationals will be 1971. The people those who have illegally entered after
>   1971 from Bangladesh and Nepal will be considered as foreign nationals.
> On
>   the other hand the people those who have migrated from the different
> parts
>   of India enjoying the status and rights of citizen and settled down
>   permanently will be considered as ethnic but those who are engaged in
>   business and trade after 1971 will be restricted from enjoying any other
>   rights and status and shall be treated as outsiders.
>   3. *Foreign Nationals* : After 1971 those who have illegally entered
>   Assam will be considered as illegal immigrants. We reject the approach of
>   ULFA considering Indian citizens along with illegal immigrants as foreign
>   nationals.
>   4. *Assamese* : the word Assamese has emerged out of the name of the
>   land, Assam, not on the basis of language. Hence, in the land of ‘Assam’
> the
>   word Assamese will mean all indigenous and ethnic people.
>   5. *Progressive Nationalism* : The tendency of denying the status and own
>   characteristics of the small indigenous and ethnic groups by the major
> races
>   through aggression is chauvinistic nationalism and opposed to it,
> adopting a
>   policy of giving equal importance to the dignity, status , equal rights,
>   characteristics and equal development is progressive nationalism.
>
>
>
> *Charter of Demands*
>
> *ULFA ( PRO-TALK )*
>
>   1. *Full autonomy within the framework of Indian constitution.*
>   2. *a) In Assam Legislative Assembly, 70% of seats to be kept reserved
>   for the indigenous people.*
>
> *b) To create an Upper House comprising of indigenous and ethnic people.*
>
> *       3.   Sealing of Indo-Bangla border to check illegal infiltration.*
>
> *       4.   To detect and deport foreign nationals taking 25.03.1971 to be
> the cut off year as per  .  *
>
> * memorandum of understanding between AASU and government of India.*
>
> *5.       To detect foreign nationals by preparing a revised national
> register of citizens of 1951.*
>
> *6.       Detected foreign nationals to be kept in a special/specific area
> and to deport them phase wise.*
>
> *7.       To introduce dual citizenship.*
>
> *8.       To introduce the system of inter-state permit.*
>
> *9.       To form a border commission to find solutions of border disputes
> of north-eastern states.*
>
> *10.   To adopt a scientific approach to the flood related problems and to
> recognize floods of Assam to be a national calamity.*
>
> *11.   Immediate steps should be taken to stop hydro-electric projects
> which
> will cause immense damage to the state of Assam.*
>
> *12.   To open and develop Stillwell Road to connect Assam with south-east
> Asia immediately. *
>
> *13.   To have dialogue with all the insurgent groups of north-east to
> restore permanent peace in the region. *
>
> *14.   To declare river Brahmaputra to be a national waterway.*
>
> *15.   Necessary steps should be taken by the government of India to
> declare
> Majuli as a world heritage site.*
>
> *16.   A special task force constituted by recruiting the indigenous people
> of north-east and to deploy them in the indo-Bangla border to check
> infiltration and safeguard the border. *
>
> *17.   To construct a seventh bridge across Brahmaputra to connect
> Nimatighat and Majuli.*
>
> *18.   Immediate release of the four central committee leaders of ULFA from
> jail. *
>
> * *
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