ULFA (I) is losing relevance within its own cadres, says Brindaban Moran

A recent incident that reaffirms the existence of conflict within the banned rebel group was when ULFA (I) militant Mridul Mahanta aka Nibir Asom, apprehended by the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, revealed that the outfit killed three of its own cadres in Myanmar for allegedly trying to flee from one of its camps in Myanmar and surrender before security forces, upon the orders of Commander-in-Chief, Paresh Baruah.

Assam:While the unrest in Assam over the Centre’s move to clear the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, appears to have reinvigorated the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA -I) that was seen as a spent force a few months ago, surrendered ULFA(I) cadre Brindaban Moran, alias Barun Asom has revealed infighting within the outfit and how it is slowly losing its relevance.

In an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat, Moran, who surrendered on March 18, said, "The idea of ULFA was revolutionary, which is why so many of us joined the outfit, but it no longer follows its own rules, it does not follow its constitution. This has led to the exit of a good number of cadres from the outfit over the past few years."

"Nearly 80 per cent of its (ULFA-I) cadres are from Tinsukia district of Assam and most of them are made to work in the agricultural fields, while only a few ruling the roost," added Moran.

A recent incident that reaffirms the existence of conflict within the banned rebel group was when ULFA (I) militant Mridul Mahanta aka Nibir Asom, apprehended by the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, revealed that the outfit killed three of its own cadres in Myanmar for allegedly trying to flee from one of its camps in Myanmar and surrender before security forces, upon the orders of Commander-in-Chief, Paresh Baruah.

The three cadres were identified as Lalit Asom, Ashwini Asom and Rhino Asom aka Rubul Moran.

Based on specific intelligence received regarding the movement of ULFA-I cadres in Khonsa Basti of Arunachal Pradesh, an operation was launched by the Indian Army, following which Mahanta was nabbed on April 24.

In another incident, the family of two slain ULFA (I) cadres from Tinsukia came to know about the death of Achyut Deka Moran and Pradyut Moran just two days ago, while the duo was actually killed by the outfit in 2015 itself.