[Assam] ULFA : Demand for full autonomy of Assam/3

Chan Mahanta cmahanta at charter.net
Sat Mar 21 19:17:27 PDT 2009


At 8:09 PM -0500 3/21/09, kamal deka wrote:
>To compare Assam with the USA as far as immigration issue is concerned,will
>be as good as comparing apples with oysters.


*** Not at all!






>The failure on part of the USA
>to curb the influx of illegals does not mean that Assam should allow
>Bangladeshis to cross the border freely till the indigenous people are
>completely outnumbered.If the vast, resourceful and thinly populated
>countries like the USA and Australia can have stringent immigration
>laws,


*** Of course they can and they do have stringent immigration laws. 
But then why is there such a huge illegal immigration problem in the 
USA? Australia is different--the oceans surrounding it  makes illegal 
border crossing difficult .





>what does Assam have so much in abundance to render her so generous?


**** It is not about Assam's abundance but B'Desh's privation. That 
simple. Assam and the contiguous
region still has land and that is a huge incentive to migrate for 
those who have none.


>There must be checks and balances.


**** Tell us about it. So how has India performed on delivering on 
those checks and balances so far?









>
>On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 9:56 AM, Dilip and Dil Deka 
><dilipdeka at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>>  For whatever it is worth, this letter from Chandan Mahanta has my support..
>>  I have been trying to convey the same message over the years.
>>         * Holding onto the guns with a sullen face and not talking to anyone
>>  including the people in Assam will not result in a solution. Persistent
>>  discussion and deliberation are the only viable paths.
>>         * It is impossible to seal a border where natural barriers do not
>>  exist. Assam will have to learn to live with the Bangladeshi problem even if
>>  Assam becomes autonomous or a sovereign country.
>>
>>
>>
>>  ________________________________
>>  From: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>  To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world <
>>  assam at assamnet.org>
>>  Cc: ulfa.protalk at gmail.com
>>  Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:34:21 AM
>>  Subject: Re: [Assam] ULFA : Demand for full autonomy of Assam/3
>>
>>
>>  Dear Friends:
>>
>>  During the past several years, we here in assamnet debated over and
>>  over again, your movement and your struggles for an independent
>>  Assam.  Over the years it became abundantly clear to me that most of
>>  our friends here in this forum, in spite of their training, education
>>  and accomplishments,  are quite uninformed about the reasons for your
>>  taking to arms in pursuit of independence for Assam.
>>
>>  >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.
>>
>>
>>
>>  **** Here it is important for you to explain why  and how Indian
>>  democracy has  not performed , how your successive 'democratically'
>>  elected governments were neither responsive nor able to respond to
>>  your needs that ultimately  led you to give up on the promise of
>>  Indian democracy and finally, out of desperation , led to your taking
>>  to arms.
>>
>>  Why it is important to explain is that MOST of our people are quite
>>  ignorant of these issues.  The idea is to generate awareness among
>  > the population and to mobilize INFORMED public opinion.
>>
>>  I realize it is a lot of work. But there is no short-cut to it.
>>
>>
>>  **** You wrote about  "temporarily suspending the armed struggle--".
>>  Does that mean that you might
>>  return to armed struggle? If so, should you not also explain  under
>>  what circumstances you may consider resorting to armed struggle?
>>  That should send a signal to GoI and GoA that you  are serious about
>>  your wish to attempt to forge a political solution, but if it is
>  > frustrated or resisted by the governments in power, you may have to
>>  return to the armed struggle, which, by all indications the people of
>>  Assam ( the thinking ones anyway) do not want.
>>
>>  Not that I am one who believes in threatening anyone as a good way to
>>  start a negotiation for attaining a political solution to a long
>>  enduring conflict. But considering the history of your adversaries'
>>  sincerity and their ability or willingness to effect political and
>>  administrative reforms that are direly needed in Assam and the
>>  surrounding region, you have little leverage left to engage them in a
>>  serious dialogue, other than a concern for a resumption of violence,
>>  however feeble now.
>>
>>  The only hope for something positive and constructive will be an
>>  outpouring of public  opinion. That could be effected if you clearly
>>  explain what  you see as the problems and how they could be resolved
>>  by what you propose.
>>
>>  As you have already noticed right in this forum, there will be those
>>  who will opposed  anything that they perceive as reducing Indian
>>  controls over Assam's  future, including contradicting their own
>>  loudly proclaimed and roundly repeated positions. And they are just
>>  the tips of the icebergs of the establishment in Assam, something you
>>  must be well aware of.
>>
>>  Therefore it is of critical importance for you to :
>>
>>      A: Clearly spell out what you see as problems, item by item.
>>
>>      B: Explain how what you propose will help resolve them.
>>
>>  You must do so in simple language, understandable by ordinary people
>>  ( avoid the jargon of professionals). And then  go disseminate it
>>  among the populace. Ultimately it is a matter of persuasion.
>>
>>  One thing you must be realistic about is the issue of Bangladeshis in
>>  Assam: It is not something you, or your ex-comrades-in-arms who are
>>  still fighting or the government of Assam, never mind who is in power
>>  on a given day; the might of the Indian armed forces  or  even the
>>  entire population of Assam unified to resist it will be able to
>>  eradicate.  It is much too complex an issue, the like of which even
>>  the most powerful nation on earth, the USA, has not been able to
>>  resolve. Ultimately we cannot and must not forget that as human
>>  beings, we cannot just wish those others away who happen to be
>>  different from us but who want to live too, even if by encroaching on
>>  land whose boundaries we created or imagined.
>>  If you dwell on this as the primary focus of your aims for Assam, you
>>  are doomed at the outset. I realize it is an easy issue to generate
>>  public ire with, but it is a recipe for sure failure.
>>
>>  You must focus on issues that are very important but which have
>>  achievable solutions..
>>
>>  Feel free to call on me if I can be of any assistance. I am no
>>  expert, but I have tried to understand what has been going on  and
>>  what led you to take up arms and what can be done now to end it.
>>
>>  More later..
>>
>>  Chandan Mahanta
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  At 10:59 AM +0530 3/7/09, ULFA Pro-talk 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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>>  >assam at assamnet.org
>>  >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
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>>  _______________________________________________
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>>  http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>
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