Wednesday, July 19 2006 13:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has said that the world's largest river island of Majuli in Assam needs protection and not mere recognition.

"Majuli is the nucleus of Assam's culture but due to landslide and erosion of the Brahmaputra, its land area is decreasing at an alarming rate," the ULFA said in its monthly newsletter Freedom.

"Majuli needs immediate protection for existence, not mere recognition," it stated.

The group, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, blamed the central government for fooling the people of the state in the name of World Heritage Site status to the riverine island.

"The Indian government has not taken any initiative to save Majuli from erosion and floods. It is surprising why, of late, they are so enthusiastic in acquiring global recognition for Majuli," the ULFA said.

The Unesco last week decided to defer a decision on according World Heritage Site status to Majuli until next year.

Majuli, with a population of about 150,000, once covered a prosperous 1,500 sq km that was dotted with Hindu monasteries called xatras.

Today, the island is reduced to half its original size and is prone to extensive flooding and erosion.

The island is regarded as a centre of Vaishnavism, a form of Hinduism preached by 16th century social reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.

The ULFA also alleged that some NGOs are engaged in antisocial activists in the guise of providing education to children in the island.

"Under the pretext of providing education to the backward masses of Majuli, some NGOs have been engaged in crimes like religious conversion and anti-Assam activities.

"Moreover, they are misappropriating huge amounts of funds given for development of Majuli by various donor organisations," the ULFA said.