GUWAHATI, Nov 3 � The security forces of Bangladesh have started raiding the places used as hideouts by the leaders and cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) looking for weapons. Meanwhile, the ULFA and other militant outfits taking shelter in Myanmar have been forced to shift their bases in that country following pressure from the authorities.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that in recent days, the security forces of Bangladesh have raided a number of places used as hideouts by the ULFA leaders in that country. Sources pointed out that when the leaders of the ULFA were apprehended and handed over to India by the Government of Bangladesh, they came empty handed, while, the anti-talk group members also fled the country without taking their belongings.
Under the circumstances, the possibility of the ULFA members leaving their weapons and other belongings behind cannot be rule out and that is why the security forces of Bangladesh started carrying out raids in the hideouts. The communications intercepted by the security forces in recent times indicated that the ULFA members were very much worried about the raids, which also indicate that they must have left behind something which they needed to hide, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that prominent leaders of the ULFA including Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa were apprehended by the security forces of Bangladesh and were handed over to India, while, others including Paresh Baruah escaped from Bangladesh after the Sheikh Hasina led Government came to power.
Meanwhile, life has become tough for the ULFA in Myanmar as the outfit has been forced to shift bases constantly. Though the Government of Myanmar is yet to launch a full scale operation against the ultras, it is evident that some pressure has been put on the militants and that is why they are shifting their bases, sources pointed out.
Sources said that according to inputs available with the security forces, the total strength of the ULFA in Myanmar should be around 150 to 200 cadres and Paresh Baruah has been able to survive in that country because of the cordial relations that he maintained with outfits like the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) for years.
