ULFA, NSCN(K) active in Myanmar

GUWAHATI, August 20: Even as security forces are striving to contain militancy in Assam as well as in the other Northeast states, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) have consolidated their bases in Myanmar. According to a confessional statement made by a senior ULFA member of the Morigaon district, over 100 ULFA members are undergoing training in different NSCN(K) camps in Myanmar. The Kachin-trained member who was arrested by the Morigaon police recently, said that these camps are located in dense forests in Myanmar. It takes 15 days from Mon district in Nagaland to reach the camps. "Our president Arabinda Rajkhowa frequently visits these camps and holds discussion with the NSCN(K) leadership regarding joint strategies. Rajkhowa has close links with the senior leaders of the group," he said, adding that there are three insurgent groups in Myanmar - People's Liberation Army (PLA), NSCN(K) and ULFA. The NSCN(K) plays a major role in the area. He confessed that he had gone to Myanmar to resolve a crisis of Morigaon district with the leadership and spent six months there. He also revealed that the organisation is now concentrating on Myanmar as other neighbouring areas are becoming more vulnerable in view of the stepped up operations of security forces. The ULFA member also confessed that there were sharp differences among the 'army' and the 'political' cadres causing serious problems for the organisation. "Army cadres often blame the political members saying that due to their incompetence, the army cadres have failed to collect funds and losing ground among the masses," he informed. The organisation is facing a severe funds crunch as its all sources are getting dried up.