ULFA, NDFB losing ground in Nalbari dist

NALBARI, Dec 30 — Two major militant outfits — the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) — have losing ground as in the current year 2002, they have lost altogether 590 cadres — 83 of them killed in encounters, while the rest of them either surrendered or were arrested by the security personnel. The security were also successful in preventing all new recruitments. Police and other security personnel engaged for counter insurgency in Nalbari district which is considered a hotbed of insurgency made a significant development in combating militancy during the year that compelled the outfits to change their operational strategies. According to reports available with the police, the ULFA suffered heavily in the outgoing year compared to the previous years which compelled them to stop extortion of money and new recruitment in the district. The police and other security personnel during the year took stern action against the militants outfits and killed as many as 83 hardcore militants including 51 of ULFA and 32 of NDFB in different encounters. The Nalbari police alone killed 12 hardcore militants of ULFA and two of NDFB while the rest were killed in encounter with the joint team of police, Army and CRPF personnel, police sources here said. Sources further said that atleast 90 militants of ULFA and NDFB were arrested by the police and other security personnel during the outgoing year. Besides, in the same time atleast 981 ULFA and 319 of NDFB militants came to the mainstream giving farewell to the arms struggle. They also recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition from the slain, arrested and surrendered militants including five AK-56, assault rifles, nine AK-47 rifles, five .38 revolvers, two 9mm pistols, two .32 revolvers, one M-20 pistol, five grenades and 354 round of different live ammunitions. In the year altogether three armymen were kileld in different parts of the district by the ULFA militants. In 2001, Nalbari had witnessed strong presence of militants particularly the ULFA but the security personnel failed to bring it under control. However, atleast 39 militants including 19 of ULFA and 20 of NDFB were killed in different encounters with the security personnel. At the same time, atleast 25 civilians, 15 by ULFA and 10 by NDFB were gunned down at different parts. Besides two police personnel and two Army jawans were also killed by the militants. The recovery during that year included six AK-47/56 assault rifles, 13 revolvers, five pistols and 15 grenades. During that year 93 militants including 78 of ULFA and 15 of NDFB were arrested by the security men. In 2002, the security personnel had gunned down two hardcore ULFA men Dipak Das alias Rhino and Nagen Das who were masterminds of Nalbari town’s mass killings taking a brand of Asom Tiger Force in November 2000. About 12 persons belonging to Marawari and Bihari communities were killed in the attack. The killing of ULFA’s commander of No. 28 battalion Tapan Baruah alias Madan Das was a great loss of the outfit in the district. Talking to The Assam Tribune the additional superintendent of police Jitmal Doley said that though the ULFA suffered heavy losses during the year as their strength remained intact as the militants from the district are still holding the high level portfolio of the outfit. However, he admitted that now the NDFB has no strength in the district but militants of nearby district have been trying to reorganise the outfit in Nalbari. Doley further said that during the year they have succeeded in mobilising public opinion against the militants which helped us to conduct operation. Besides, in the year, about 40 boys and girls below the age of 18 from the insurgency — affected families to the Ministry of Home Affairs for financial assistance under the Assam police project — ‘Ashwas,’ he added. The police official also claimed that Assam police’s another project ‘Prahari’ gave a new look to the insurgency village ‘Lakhipar’ under Barbari police station where the villagers spontaneously came out to avail the benefit of education, weaving and agriculture provided by police.