ULFA leader planning surrender

GUWAHATI, July 21: Paresh Barua, the commander-in-chief of the armed wing of the banned Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), is keen to return to normal life, according to reliable sources within the security apparatus here. They informed that Barua had established contacts with security forces and demanded "political rehabilitation" in exchange for his surrender. Barua has also established contact with GK Pillai, joint secretary, Union ministry of home affairs, the sources said, adding that the ULFA leader had already shifted base from Bangladesh to Myanmar. "All we can tell you at present is that he is certainly not living in the jungles of Myanmar," a source said. The ULFA is divided into three factions: One led by Paresh Barua, the other by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, and the third "killer group" led by Raju Barua, the sources said. Paresh Barua and Arabinda Rajkhowa have fallen foul of each other and are unable to team up against the Raju Barua group, the sources claimed. The sources said that Paresh Barua's resentment towards Raju Baruah has resulted in the latter not being elevated to the post of deputy commander-in-chief. The post has been lying vacant for several years now. Barua, the sources said, has been advised to lead his loyal cadres overground. Barua's personal bodyguard Barma Datta surrendered on July 13 before PK Nayar, superintendent of police, Sibsagar district. Taking his cue from Datta another senior ULFA cadre, Akash Bora, surrendered on July 17 before Nayar. Akash Bora even presented a letter to Nayar,. Accusing the ULFA of becoming pawns in the hands of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan and indulging in largescale extortion under the guise of demands for sovereignty and independence. This has come as a shot in the arm for the security forces. They believe that a major setback to the militant outfit is imminent. The ULFA has been a thorn in the flesh of both the Centre and the state government. The present disclosure comes close on the heels of Pillai's departure to Delhi after attending a two-day meeting of the directors-general of police of the seven states of the Northeast. Pillai had advised the DGP's to evolve a pro-active strategy to combat insurgent groups on the region. The meeting was also attended by local heads of central police organisations, Army commanders, local heads of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing among others. (; The ; New Delhi; July 22, 1999)