ULFA to Blame for CAA Violence in Assam, alleges 'ABP News'

Guwahati, December 23, 2019:

ABP News, one of the leading Hindi news channels in the country, showing an examplary penchant for investigative reporting, has discovered the reason behind the unrest and chaos in Assam over the Citizenship Amendment Act: ULFA!

In a recent episode of the ABP News Show Masterstroke, the anchor, Rubika Liyaquat, announces that ULFA is directly responsible for the violence during the CAA protests.

A dramatic voiceover announces: "The protest in Assam was pre-planned and the United Liberation Front of Asom aka ULFA was behind it. The same ULFA that is responsible for uncountable acts of bloodshed."

An ABP reporter, with a leaflet in hand, announces that the leaflet is proof that ULFA is behind the protests.

Then, the voiceover returns and announces that the ULFA had planned to give 60% of its weapons to local villagers during the protests against the CAA.

The United Liberation Front of Asom, a shady organization that seeks Assam's sovereignty from India, largely operates from the shadows (in the modern times, the jungles of neighboring Myanmar).

ALSO READ: Assam: Kalita Community Demands ST Status, 50% Reservation in Govt Jobs

Although the ULFA's Commander-in-Chief, the reclusive Paresh Baruah, in a phone call, had requested the Assam Government not to hurt students protesting the CAA, Baruah himself and his ULFA troops are not directly involved. However, the ULFA and its leaders -- both pro-talks and non-talks are staunchly opposed to the amendment of the Citizenship Act.

In fact, Jiten Dutta, a pro-talks leader, was arrested in Tinsukia for an alleged case of arson during the CAA protests.

Although the ULFA's distaste for the CAA is very evident, does it mean that the militant body is responsible for the protests? Not exactly.

A recent survey suggests that as many as 69% of Assamese people are opposed to the CAA, as they see it as threat to their cultural, linguistic, and territorial integrity. In a land already over-burdened with the influx of migrants from neighboring Bangladesh, it is seen as a threat to the identity of 'Axomia' (Assamese).

Putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the outlawed outfit, the ABP News questions: who else could be opposed to the CAA?

A lot of law-abiding citizens, apparently. After the initial spate of violence in Assam, the protests have taken a peaceful and democratic turn, with artists and locals coming together to seek the scrapping of the contentious legislation with song, dance, art, and culture.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.