GUWAHATI, Dec 19 ? Reports of growing links between the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Maoist militants of Nepal are causing concern among the security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations. Highly-placed security sources revealed that links between the ULFA and the Maoists are established facts and though there are reports of the ULFA setting up camps in Nepal, the security forces are yet to get any conclusive evidence in this regard.
Sources said that according to reports available, several top leaders of the ULFA had meetings with the Maoist leaders and it is apprehended that the ULFA came into contact with the Maoists in Bhutan as there is a sizeable population of Nepali community in southern part of the Himalayan Kingdom where the ULFA had strong camps and bases till the Government of Bhutan launched the ?Operation All Clear? to evict the militants belonging to the ULFA, National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) last year.
Security sources said that senior members of the ULFA visit Nepal quite often and it is believed that the ULFA is using Nepal as shelter points. Security agencies also apprehend that the ULFA might also be procuring weapons from Nepal but ?we are yet to get any substantive evidence to prove that,? sources added.
It may be mentioned here that the frequency of movement of the Maoist militants of Nepal through North Bengal is also a cause for serious concern as the leaders of the North East-based militant outfits also frequently visit that area. This year alone, at least 10 Maoist leaders and hardcore cadres have been arrested in North Bengal area and they came mainly for treatment and to get their publicity materials printed.
The Maoists have also been using the North Bengal corridor to come to the States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where they have their shelters and sympathisers. The visit of the Maoists to North Bengal area is causing concern because the militants belonging to the ULFA also frequently visit the area and they have strong links with the KLO.
The ULFA also operated together with the KLO on several occasions in the area but mostly they have set up shelters with the help of the KLO and they also go to the area for treatment and as a transit route to visit Bangladesh, Nepal and parts of Bhutan.