GUWAHATI, April 28 � As a part of his move to revive the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), commander-in-chief of the outfit Paresh Baruah has re-activated the Central Council Headquarter (CCH) of the outfit in Bangladesh.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that most of the instructions to the cadres are now routed through the CCH and Paresh Baruah keeps in regular touch with the persons manning it through satellite phones. Sources said that according to information available, the CCH of the ULFA is located at the Rupohi Ashroy Sibir of the outfit in Bakapura area of Sherpur district of Bangladesh. The Government of India has already informed Bangladesh about the presence of the ULFA base in that country.
Sources revealed that several hardcore members of the ULFA including Apurba Baruah, Drishti Rajkhowa and Antu Chowdang are in Bangladesh and the government of the neighbouring country is yet to take any action against them. The Government of Bangladesh picked up and handed over four key members of the ULFA including ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa to India before the last visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister to India, but sources pointed out that the militants involved in operations have not been handed over as yet. According to information available with the security agencies, at least 50 members of the ULFA are still staying in Bangladesh. However, fearing action by the Government, the ULFA have shifted some of its bases from the Chota and Bara Gajni areas of Bangladesh in recent times.
On the presence of the ULFA in Myanmar, sources said that the headquarter of the 28 battalion is still located in the country and it is believed to be the strongest arm of the outfit. However, the unit has been plagued with problems in recent times following the killing of Seema Bora, one of the senior members. Sources said that according to information available with the security forces, at least 30 members of the outfit formally handed over a written complaint against seven senior leaders including Haren Phukan, Bijoy Das, Sujit Mohan and Michael Deka Phukan. Sources said that the complaint was formally handed over to Jiban Moran, a senior leader of the ULFA, which was also handed over to Paresh Baruah. Sources said that the ULFA leadership sidelined Sujit Mohan following the incident and he may come over ground soon. However, the leaders of the ULFA took a lenient attitude towards the others named in the complaint.
Sources said that the 27 battalion of the ULFA is still active and have bases in Karbi Anglong. Though the KLNLF has come over ground recently, the ULFA is still maintaining relation with the outfit. The members of the 109 battalion and 709 battalion are lying low and security agencies are of the view that if the talks between Government and ULFA start, a number of lower level cadres might come over ground.
