Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

ULFA challenge

This refers to the editorial "The ULFA challenge" (Jan. 10). The brutal killings of Bihari workers by ULFA expose the consistent failure of successive governments to evolve a credible and multi-pronged strategy to deal with insurgency in Assam. Terrorism has developed a new dimension of fuelling inter-regional and intra-regional conflicts, which pose a threat to the federal character of our nation.

Sajjan Singh,
Jaipur

* * *

Is the Centre's response to the violence adequate? How long can the additional security forces redeployed in Assam stay there? It is clear that ULFA is playing on the sense of disunity in the country. It is important for both the Centre and the State Government to evolve a permanent solution.

Mohit Mridul,
New Delhi

* * *

The support ULFA gets from the locals, of whom many are unemployed, cannot be underestimated. Development of the Northeast should be the Central Government's priority.

Y.N. Murthy,
Hyderabad

* * *

Our governments have invariably failed to act strongly against terrorism. While there could be various entities within the country with grievances, terrorism per se is nurtured by a single extraneous agency, Pakistan's all-powerful ISI. The terrorism by ULFA is no exception. One hopes the Government will take a tough stance in its talks with Pakistan under the newly initiated anti-terror mechanism.

Subramanyam Sridharan,
Chennai

* * *

The killing of the non-Assamese people, especially Biharis, by ULFA exposes its hypocrisy. If the State is really suffering from any kind of illegal immigration, it is from Bangladesh — not from Bihar and other neighbouring States. ULFA seems reluctant to accept this because its top leadership is holed up in Bangladesh.

Rakesh Singh,
New Delhi

* * *

Even as ULFA continues to slaughter innocent labourers from Bihar, it has carefully avoided any move against lakhs of illegal Bangladeshis who have settled in Assam with the active encouragement of Congress governments in the State and the Centre over the past five decades. The reason is obvious — top ULFA leaders lead lives of luxury in Bangladesh.

R.P. Subramanian,
New Delhi

* * *

The massacre of Hindi-speaking migrants by ULFA in Assam and the expulsion of those belonging to the minority community from Kashmir are enough to challenge the sovereignty of our country. Those responsible should be dealt with firmly. India must go in hot pursuit of the ultras across the borders if our unfriendly neighbours do not hand them over and destroy their camps.

Raghubir Singh,
Pune

* * *

Is it not unfortunate that within our own country, some of us are termed as migrants? I don't think any difference exists between the attacks on the Hindi-speaking people in Assam and the pundits of Kashmir. What is worse is that politicians who favour Bangladeshi infiltration keep mum over the plight of our very own people.

Jyoti Swaroop,
Patna

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