The banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) on Friday announced a significant organisational overhaul, disbanding its existing three councils and constituting a new central committeewith co-founder Paresh Baruah as its president. The move comes amid ongoing debates over Assam’s sovereignty and speculation regarding possible peace talks with the Indian government.

In a statement addressed to media organisations, a copy of which has been reviewed by HT, ULFA-I stated, “In view of present circumstances and after deliberations on all aspects, it was found extremely essential and relevant to disband the three councils and form a central committee unanimously.”

Formation of the New Central Committee

The newly formed central committee comprises 24 members, with Paresh Baruah, 68, serving as president. Baruah, widely recognized as a co-founder and the self-styled general of ULFA-I, has historically been a key figure in both the political and military strategies of the outfit.

Alongside him, two senior members, identified by their aliases Michael Asom and Maitri Asom, have been appointed vice-president and general secretary, respectively. The new central committee also includes four women members, a move that signals an attempt at more inclusive representation within the leadership structure.

The statement from ULFA-I did not specify the precise reasons for dissolving the earlier councils—supreme, high, and lower councils—or for establishing the new central body. However, the leadership indicated that the decision was a strategic necessity, reflecting the group’s current priorities and internal deliberations.

Background: Previous Structural Reforms

This is not the first time ULFA-I has undertaken a major structural change. In September 2021, the outfit announced a “structural change,” suspending its formal constitutional framework to establish three separate councils, with Baruah heading the supreme council. That reorganisation was aimed at decentralizing leadership while maintaining cohesion between its political and military divisions. Despite these internal adjustments, ULFA-I’s operational capacity, particularly its armed wing, remained intact, allowing the group to continue pursuing its declared objectives.

The current revamp appears to centralize authority again, consolidating decision-making under a single governing body while retaining a mix of seasoned leadership and fresh faces. By dissolving the councils and forming a central committee, ULFA-I signals both continuity in its strategic vision and adaptability to evolving political and security circumstances.

Sovereignty Discussions and Peace Talk Speculations

Speculation over possible peace negotiations between ULFA-I and the Indian government has persisted since May 2021, following the formation of the second BJP-led government in Assam. The discussions have been complicated by the outfit’s insistence that Assam’s sovereignty be included as a precondition for dialogue—a demand consistently rejected by both the state and central governments.

ULFA-I has maintained that any meaningful engagement must address the region’s historical grievances, cultural identity, and political autonomy, framing its continued armed struggle as part of a broader mission to achieve a sovereign Assam. However, repeated refusals by the Indian authorities to entertain the sovereignty clause have kept the anti-talks faction at a stalemate, perpetuating the organization’s militancy while limiting the prospects of formal negotiations.

Historical Context of ULFA and the Split

The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was originally formed in April 1979, with the primary objective of achieving Assamese sovereignty through armed struggle. The outfit gained notoriety in the 1980s and 1990s, often cited for violent insurgency, extortion, and militancy across Assam and adjoining areas.

The group experienced a major split in August 2012, when several senior leaders chose to lay down arms and engage in peace talks with the Indian government. This resulted in a peace accord signed in December 2023, under which the faction that agreed to negotiate became part of the political mainstream, while the anti-talks faction, later renamed ULFA-Independent (ULFA-I), continued to operate independently, rejecting the government’s overtures.

Paresh Baruah has remained the figurehead of ULFA-I, representing the uncompromising stance of the anti-talks faction. Under his leadership, the outfit has maintained its dual structure, with separate political and military wings, while periodically signalling willingness to engage in discussions contingent on recognition of Assam’s sovereignty.

Implications of the Organizational Revamp

The disbanding of councils and formation of a central committee may have multiple implications for ULFA-I’s operational and political strategies:

1. Centralization of Authority: The move consolidates power under a single central committee, potentially improving coordination between political and military divisions.
2. Strategic Cohesion: By reorganizing its leadership structure, ULFA-I may be seeking greater strategic cohesionin response to ongoing security pressures and regional political developments.
3. Inclusivity and Representation: The inclusion of four women members in the central committee reflects a shift toward more inclusive leadership, possibly aimed at broadening the organization’s social base.
4. Signaling Intentions: Organizational revamps often serve as signals to both supporters and adversaries, indicating resolve, unity, and readiness to pursue objectives more effectively.

The revamp also comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity in Assam, with ongoing discussions over illegal immigration, local governance, and ethnic identity. ULFA-I’s structural changes may be interpreted as an attempt to reinforce internal discipline, maintain morale, and present a united front in any future interactions with the government or civil society.

Broader Security and Political Context

Assam remains a region of complex ethnic, linguistic, and political dynamics, where insurgency, migration issues, and historical grievances intersect. Security analysts suggest that ULFA-I’s organizational changes could affect counter-insurgency operations, intelligence strategies, and local political alignments.

The Indian government has consistently maintained that any discussions with insurgent groups must adhere to constitutional principles, including territorial integrity and sovereignty, effectively ruling out unilateral recognition of Assam’s independence. This impasse has allowed ULFA-I to continue operating in a shadow network, maintaining its presence in certain tribal and remote areas while emphasizing its ideological stance.

Looking Ahead

The creation of the new central committee may reshape ULFA-I’s decision-making processes, allowing the outfit to act more decisively in both political and military domains. Analysts note that such restructuring often precedes strategic shifts, including potential increased mobilization, recruitment, or renewed efforts at dialogue under defined conditions.

While the Indian state is unlikely to accede to demands for sovereignty, the organizational revamp underscores ULFA-I’s long-term commitment to its objectives, and signals that the group intends to remain a key player in Assam’s insurgent landscape. How this reorganization influences peace talks, security operations, and regional stability in the coming months will be closely monitored by both national and international observers.

Conclusion

The recent announcement by ULFA-I to disband its councils and form a central committee with Paresh Baruah as president represents a major milestone in the outfit’s organizational evolution. It reflects the group’s strategic recalibration in response to internal deliberations, external pressures, and ongoing political discussions regarding Assam’s sovereignty.

Paresh Baruah’s continued leadership consolidates the anti-talks faction under a single authoritative figure, ensuring cohesion and discipline across the organization. Meanwhile, the inclusion of new members, including women, indicates a conscious effort to modernize its leadership structure while retaining core ideological commitments.

As ULFA-I moves forward under its revamped central committee, the coming months are likely to witness heightened attention from security agencies, political stakeholders, and local communities, as Assam continues to grapple with the challenges posed by insurgency, sovereignty claims, and evolving regional dynamics.