The banned militant group, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) on October 27 released a video message in which 20 of its cadres detailed the chaos that has unfolded in their Myanmar camp over the last one and a half years. The message attributes the turmoil to the illicit relationship between Lachit Hazarika, also known as Salim Ali, and Barnali Axom, who went by Nayanmoni Chetia.
The video features 13 male and 7 female cadres, many of whom expressed their grievances about the situation. Lachit Hazarika and Barnali Axom allegedly had an illicit relationship, causing significant discord within the camp. It was revealed that Barnali had engaged in romantic liaisons with other cadres and had even helped some of them escape from the camp.
The video further exposes Barnali's connections with the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) mediator, Dibakar Debraj Singha, and her alleged involvement in intelligence spying. The illicit relationship between Barnali and Lachit Hazarika resulted in internal conflicts, with James Axom expressing his disapproval. This led to Lachit punishing James and causing him injury, eventually uncovering their affair.
Lachit Hazarika and Barnali Axom were ultimately sentenced to capital punishment for their actions. The video also identified some of the cadres involved, including Sabita Chetia from Dhemaji, who had gone with Barnali and senior lady leader Purnima Barauh, alias Mitu Axom, who was arrested in 2021.
The video also references an incident from 2021 when a boy from Margherita, who had joined ULFA and had an affair with Barnali and later committed suicide.
The revelation of Lachit Hazarika's entry into ULFA in 1990, marked by his romantic involvement with Barnali, indicates the extent of the turmoil that their relationship has caused over the years.
The video reveals that over the last one and a half years, chaos has gripped the ULFA Myanmar camp, primarily stemming from the illicit relationship between Lachit Hazarika and Barnali Axom.
Earlier on October 3, The proscribed ULFA(Independent) outfit took responsibility for executing top ULFA-I leader, Lachit Hazarika alias Brigadier Salim Asom and cadre Barnali.
As per sources, Salim Asom was close to ULFA-I chief Paresh Baruah and had joined the outfit in the 1990s. While Barnali had joined the outfit in the year 2021.
Top ULFA-I leader, Lachit Hazarika alias Brigadier Salim Asom was awarded capital punishment in Myanmar's Sagain area in Hachi camp on September 20. While Barnali, a boxer from Tinsukia and a member of the banned outfit has been also served the death penalty by the armed militant group.
The insurgent outfit, in an emailed media statement, said Lachit Hazarika and Barnali Asom alias Nayanmani Chetia completely violated the constitution and policies of the organization by cooperating with the Indian intelligence forces and also blackmailing comrades to force them to surrender with weapons to the enemy.
