New Delhi: Bringing an end to the decades-old insurgency in Assam's hill areas, a historic Karbi Peace Accord was signed here on Saturday. The historic pact which has finally fixed a one-time financial allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the development of Karbi Anglong was signed between the Central government, the Assam government and six militant outfits of Karbi Anglong.
Talking to ETV Bharat after the accord signing programme, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this accord has brought an end to the insurgency in Assam's hill areas. "The hill areas of Assam which has been witnessing a violent movement for an autonomous State has come to an end," said Sarma.
He hoped that there will be no resurgence of insurgency in Assam's hill areas.
The statement given by Assam CM assumes significance following the fact that it was in 2011 an accord was signed with UPDS (another militant of Karbi Anglong) leading to the resurgence of another militant outfit named Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF).
Along with KLNLF, five more outfits signed the historic peace accord on Saturday.
The five outfits are Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT), Ran Rongpi faction of KPLT, ceasefire (Donri Kramsa faction) and KPLT Mensing Kramsa faction, United People's liberation Army (UPLA) and People's Democratic Council of Karbi Angling.
Read: Centre to sign pact with 6 Karbi Anglong groups: Amit Shah
Chief Minister Sarma said that Rs 500 crores will be released by the Central government and Rs 500 crores by the Assam government for the development of Karbi Anglong.
Referring to the talks with Ulfa-I's Paresh Barua, Sarma said that the process is on. "Things are on right track. We have established some contacts and we are working on it," Sarma said.
KLNLF Publicity Secretary Rizek Dera said that this accord will definitely bring peace in Karbi Anglong. "We had demanded Rs 1,500 crore as one time financial allocation. But the amount has been fixed at Rs 1,000 crore," said Dera.
Echoing the same view on development, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief executive member Tuliram Ronghan said, "We got reservation in the autonomous council and this will certainly ensure our right and development in our region," said Ronghan.
It may be mentioned here that the number of seats in KAAC has been increased from 26 to 50. Out of 50 seats, six members will be appointed by the Governor, 10 seats will be reserved for all and remaining 34 seats will be reserved for Schedule Tribes (ST) community.
Read: Over 3,000 insurgents surrendered in past two years in Northeast, says Home Minister Amit Shah
