Ulfa faction on extortion drive
The anti-talk Ulfa led by its chief Paresh Baruah is facing acute financial crunch and threatening businessmen, professionals and small and big tea planters to pay extortion money in Assam. Disclosing that fresh warning of launching attacks on government transport, politicians, black marketers and corrupt officials was aimed at to mount pressure to pay the extortion, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that many businessmen and small tea growers are getting calls from an Ulfa leader Hira Sarania to pay money. Suspecting that these calls are originating from neighbouring states and Burma, security sources said that callers identify himself as Hira Sarania but voice matches to Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah.
Though, many businessmen have reported to police, security sources feared that any violent attack by Ulfa might create a fear-psychosis among businessmen who may start paying money to the outfit. Pointing out that outfit was desperate to make their presence felt by launching violent attacks, security sources said that outfit was also trying to extort nursing homes and doctors in Upper Assam districts. Informing that Ulfa leaders are using satellite phones for extortion as calls are coming from withheld numbers, security sources also admitted the presence of Ulfa rebels at various strategic locations. Claiming that many business houses were resisting and avoiding threats of anti-talk Ulfa, security sources stressed the need of pro-active role of state police in order to win over the confidence of businessmen and persuade them not to pay the extortion.
Referring the interception of calls for extortion, security sources said that Ulfa may target crowded places of Upper Assam districts. In this regard security forces have already been alerted, security sources said that rebels of Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur, who were sent with Ulfa cadres from Burma camp, have gone back to their camps. Meanwhile, pro-talk faction of Ulfa led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa has described the threat of anti-talk faction as an attempt to disrupt the ongoing peace-process in the state. In a statement, the pro-talk faction of Ulfa however reiterated that the ongoing peace process will not be hampered by Paresh Baruah’s threat.
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