The pro-talk faction of outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) has sent their messengers to their camps in Burma in order to rope in lower rung cadres of anti-talks faction of the outfit.
Disclosing that anti-talk faction of Ulfa led by its elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah was in complete disarray, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that there are indications that majority of the cadres holed up in two separate camps in Burma are keen to join the peace-process.
Admitting that remaining top leaders of Ulfa like Bijay Das, Antu Chawdang, Drishti Rajkhowa and Nayan Medhi are still elusive and reluctant to desert Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah, security sources claimed that outfit was facing acute financial crunch.
Informing that Ulfa was involved in the killing of a goldsmith Kiran Sarma on Friday, security sources said that investigation has revealed that Ms Sarma was killed by AK-47 rifle from point blank range because Ulfa suspected her involvement in arrest of Ulfa leader Bacha Singh.
Referring the technical inputs from the ground, security sources said that a lady cadre Dalim Dutta has been made the in-charge of Ulfa’s 28 Battalion, which has been directed to intensify the extortion drive in Upper Assam district.
Though, security forces are not sure about the exact whereabouts of United Liberation Front of Asom chief Paresh Baruah, security sources said that he keeps on conveying his messages to camps in Burma through Antu Chawdang who recently survived in a motorcycle accident in Bangladesh. Security sources however said that they are yet ascertaining whereabouts of Antu Chawdang after his accident but he was contemplating to leave Dhaka.
Clarifying that idea behind releasing the top Ulfa leaders is aimed at to rope in rest of United Liberation Front of Asom cadres before the peace-process starts, security sources said that once Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah is isolated, most of the Ulfa cadres would join the pro-talks factions of the outfit.
The security agencies have warned and suggested measures to keep close watch on released Ulfa leaders who may resort to revive their extortion network.