GUWAHATI, Nov 29 - Though it is an established fact that the militant groups of North East region of India are receiving help from China, it is always difficult to trace the foot tracks back directly to the officials of the neighbouring country. India has taken up the issue with Chinese authorities on several occasions, but they always deny their involvement.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that the commander-in-chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), Paresh Baruah spends most of his time in the Yunan province of China. Sources pointed out that according to reports, the ULFA(I) leader also has business interest in that country. The matter was brought to the notice of the Chinese authorities on several occasions, but China is always in denial mode.
Interestingly, according to inputs available with the Indian intelligence and security agencies, Baruah shifts towards Myanmar just before each round of talks between India and China to ensure that the Chinese are not caught off guard during the talks.
Sources pointed out that most of the sophisticated weapons used by the militant groups of the North East are manufactured in China, but the Chinese officials are not directly involved in handing over weapons. The weapons are handed over through contractors and others and it is difficult to trace the foot tracks back to the Chinese officials, sources added.
However, the Government of India is of the view that China would not help the militants beyond a certain point. It is a fact that China would try to keep the militant groups alive by providing help to them to keep the North East region disturbed. But of late, India�s equations with China have changed and the Government of that country is more interested in the Indian market. The trade ties between India and China have improved considerably and the Chinese Government knows very well that helping the militants beyond a certain point would affect the Indian market of Chinese goods and they would never like to lose the market, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that recently the ULFA (I) put its weight behind China and described the country as �friend of Assam.� To extend support to China, the ULFA (I) also opposed the movement of the Tibetans against that country.
