More cadres desert ULFA

By Our Special Correspondent

GUWAHATI, MARCH 24. Yet another group of the ULFA cadre has deserted the outfit, come overground and is seeking to ``live freely'' and lead a normal social life. The process of disillusionment with the ULFA started long ago but the killing of the PWD and Forest Minister, Nagen Sharma, at Nalbari, on February 27, was the breaking point.

Some Guwahati scribes met the cadres today at Nalbari town. There were 18 of them whose leader was Mr. Mintu Dutta, ``Chief Political Commissar'' and member of the Central Committee and Central Executive Committee of the ULFA. Asked whether they had surrendered their arms, they said when leaving the ULFA they had brought ``neither ULFA's arms nor its money.''

For reasons of safety they have been staying in a police camp after coming overground. But unlike in the past, the police and the administration chose to keep a low profile at today's function. No one in khaki or olive green could be seen at the venue or around.

According to Mr. Dutta and his comrades, the ULFA has always talked of a national liberation struggle but it lacks the ``character'' for leading such a struggle. The ULFA leadership is totally uninterested in ideological questions.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Regional
Next     : Rabri Cabinet expansion