GUWAHATI, Oct 30 � Extortion bids by members of the hardline faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have become a major problem in Majuli river island, said Water Resources Minister Rajiv Lochan Pegu, who represents Majuli Assembly constituency.
Pegu told this correspondent that a number of persons of the river island including Panchayat and ward members received demands from the militant outfit. He said that recently police arrested a youth congress leader after he received a call from the ULFA. �The arrest is unwarranted as receiving a call from the militants does not mean that the person is sympathetic towards the militants,� he added.
The Minister said that the terrain in the river island is putting the militants in an advantageous position. He pointed out that whenever the police and security forces launch offensive against the members of the ULFA, they use boats to go to Lakhimpur or Sonitpur and sometimes they also move to the char areas.
Pegu said that according to information available, ULFA managed to set up base in Ahatguri area of Majuli and one hardcore militant Pradeep Baruah is masterminding the actions of the ULFA in the area.
Meanwhile, security sources said that two other hardcore militants, Nayan Medhi and Rajiv Das were camping in Majuli till recently. But they shifted during the heavy floods in the river island.
