The military commander of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland, Sonbjit Ingti, has bought at least 50 AK-47 and AK-56 rifles from outlawed Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah in Burma to reinforce the striking power of the outfit. Disclosing that the outfit was shifting its cadres from Bangladesh to its new camp in Burma, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that there were some disturbing developments regarding the NDFB, which has not only recruited new cadres but also extending its extortion drive across the border of Assam. Informing that traders and businessmen of Bhalukpong, Seppa and Semma area of Arunachal Pradesh adjoining Sonitpur district of Assam have been served extortion notices by NDFB rebels, security sources said that outfit has also served extortion demand of `2 lakhs to a manager of Arunachal Pradesh Transport Corporation posted in Assam’s Sonitpur district.
Referring intercepts and intelligence on activities of the NDFB rebels, security sources however, admitted that there are many NDFB rebels who are also approaching security forces to surrender. The anti-talk faction of NDFB has been pleading for release of its president Ranjan Daimary who is languishing in jail since his arrest and deportation from Bangladesh. Pointing out that NDFB was not sincere on its approach on peace talks, security sources said that home ministry was keeping a close watch on their activities.
There have been reports of the NDFB fortifying its camps in Burma also, security sources said, adding that most of the separatist outfits are shifting their camps to newer locations from existing Taga area of Burma.
About procurement of arms by the NDFB rebels, security sources said that the police recently recovered four AK-56 rifles and a latest fire arms of the Heckler & Koch series-HK-37 from NDFB sympathiser who was acting as courier.
The recovery of HK-37 rifle has exposed the connection of Northeast rebels with international arms merchant. Security sources admitted that outfit by offering unilateral ceasefire to the government was buying time to regroup the outfit.