Guwahati, Jun 21: The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), or ULFA(I), has managed to collect nearly ?6 crore this year through extortion activities along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, police sources said.
The revelation came after the arrest of the outfit’s self-styled ‘operation commander’ Rupam Asom near the inter-state boundary, a breakthrough that provided security forces with key intelligence on the outfit’s recent activities.
During interrogation, Rupam disclosed that ULFA(I) operatives avoid venturing deep into Assam due to increased security presence but continue to raise funds from border villages and towns. However, most cadres are unaware of how the extorted money is spent.
Despite its declining numbers, the banned militant group still maintains three camps inside Myanmar, with the main base — the ‘general mobile headquarters’ — located deep in the neighbouring country under the command of senior leader Michael Deka Phukan.
Two other camps include the ‘Eastern camp’, headed by Nayan Asom, which is currently witnessing limited activity, and the 'Arakan camp', also known as ‘camp 779’, led by Arunodoi Asom. The Arakan camp is reportedly the most active, with members regularly sent into Indian territory to carry out extortion and kidnapping operations.
Rupam, a key figure in the Arakan camp, entered India with a 10-member team earlier this year to conduct operations. Three of them surrendered early on, and Rupam’s arrest further weakened the unit. The remaining cadres are believed to be hiding in Arunachal Pradesh.
He also admitted to growing disillusionment among the rank and file due to poor living conditions in the camps, shortage of basic necessities and internal power struggles among the leadership.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to trace and neutralise the remaining operatives in Indian territory. (Inputs from The Assam Tribune)
