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The Rediff Special

'The army should understand that they are not dealing with a foreign enemy'

Siddharta Phukan was ULFA's popular publicity secretary from 1988 till 1992, when he surrendered. Today, he is a prosperous businessman in Guwahati, with a new name. This is how he sees the ULFA problem:

ULFA began as a movement for socialism. But from 1988, ULFA's character changed. Initially, arms were used as an instrument to show the people that we could fight for our cause. But then, arms became an end in itself: You collect money to buy arms, and use arms to collect money.

It became like a professional army. Earlier it was about ideology, then it was about power. Some leaders began leading very luxurious lives and were busy fulfilling their own ends. While Paresh Barua was responsible for the over-militarisation of the organisation, he was not responsible for the other things.

We were totally disillusioned. If I had wanted I could have had as much money as I wanted and lived a comfortable life. But the cause was lost with the organisation losing its character. What was there to fight for?

With insurgency at such an intense level, no government can perform. But the AGP government is not handling it the right way. They first went wrong by taking ULFA's help before the election. Now, the ULFA feels betrayed.

They are also making a mistake by shutting the door on individual surrenders. The boys wanting to come back must be given a chance.

I have never seen Mr Mahanta acting so tough. And I don't think he's doing good for himself. The army is needed in the state. But the army should understand that they are not dealing with a foreign enemy. So it has to conduct counter-insurgency with a human face.

Today, ULFA is a very prosperous outfit, with a lot of money and fire-power. It is said to have links with all the main extremist groups in India, and some foreign outfits and agencies. Life in ULFA camps, say in Bhutan, is very comfortable. There is every modern facility.

With both sides taking such antagonistic positions, there is no solution in sight. Both sides will have to come down, and the army will have to change its style of operation.

Mr Mahanta's style won't work. It will cause his downfall. I foresee Mahanta going the Siddharta Shankar Ray way. He might be successful in containing ULFA, but he will not be able to continue his political career in Assam.

Kind courtesy: Sunday magazine

'Mahanta has betrayed the people of Assam'

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