ULFA (I) strength has reduced to around 150-180 cadres: Report

GUWAHATI: The strength of the non-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Axom (ULFA-I) led by Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah has significantly dwindled and the insurgent group now lies at around 150-180, said reports.,

According to reports, the strength of ULFA(I) has now been reduced to around 150 to 180 cadres and a majority of them are in Myanmar, while a few of them are suspected to be in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The ULFA (I) have been trying to extort money from traders in the areas bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

A number of owners of tea gardens and stone crushers as well as coal traders have received extortion demands from the militant outfit in recent times -- there have been kidnappings as well.

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Meanwhile, the peace talks process has seem to hit a roadblock with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which seems to have diverted the efforts of the Government elsewhere.

Confirming this to Inside Northeast, Anup Chetia of ULFA's pro-talks faction said, "Peace Talks process has been halted since March. Athough the talks are in their final Stage. We are hopeful that the Government will take an initiative to take the talks forward before the commencement of the Assembly Elections in Assam."

Chetia had earlier appealed to banned ULFA-Independent’s commander Paresh Baruah to join the process with the Centre, under a single organisation.

It needs mention here that as many as 18 ULFA (I) cadres are all set to lay down their arms in front of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal later today.

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