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Paresh group procures huge quantity of arms

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Aug 23 � The hard line faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), headed by Paresh Baruah recently managed to procure a huge consignment of arms and explosives, but the source of it is yet to be ascertained.

Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that according to information available with the security forces, the hardliners in the ULFA now has much more weapons than manpower. As per intelligence inputs, the ULFA faction recently procured at least 400 weapons including AK series rifles, small arms including M-20 pistols and explosives including remote controlled improvised explosive devices.

What is more disturbing is that according to information available, the ULFA managed to get the weapons without payment of any money and it is believed that the militant outfit received the weapons from China. Sources said that there is no definite proof of the ultras receiving weapons from China but the circumstantial evidence point the needle of suspicion towards China. Moreover, the militant groups have been using weapons manufactured in Norinco factory of China.

Sources said that as the ULFA anti-talk faction, now hardly has around 200 cadres, the possibility of the outfit giving weapons to other outfits cannot be ruled out. Interestingly, the reports also suggest that though the outfit is having abundance of weapons, shortage of ammunition is a major problem.

As per information available with the security agencies, the ULFA hardliners are keeping most of the weapons in the bases in Myanmar and only a handful of weapons were given to the two teams sent to India before the Independence day to indulge in acts of violence. Though the teams comprising members of the ULFA and PLA failed to create any trouble in the run up to the Independence Day, they are still waiting on the Tirap-Changlang area of Arunachal Pradesh and one team is reportedly near Sivasagar district waiting for an opportunity to sneak into Assam to strike.

Sources said that the flow of funds to the coffers of the anti-talk faction of the ULFA has slowed down and people are not willing to pay the demanded amount. However, this also increases the possibility of the outfit striking to make its presence felt. �However, if any big industrial house is paying the ULFA somewhere outside the region, that is not known to the security agencies. In the past, there were instances of money changing hands in Bangladesh but that is not possible now,� sources added.

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