ULFA warns of striking soon; releases photo of camp

The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Tuesday warned of striking with greater vengeance to prove wrong reports that the outfit?s striking capacities have been finished.

?The enemy is spreading reports that the ULFA is finished, but we are regrouping with greater vigour. We (the ULFA) did not enter the battle-field to be defeated,? ULFA publicity in-charge ?second lieutenant? Arunodoi Duhotia said in an email.

A recent photo of an ULFA training camp, with the cadres posing with guns and a weapon display in the front, was also released to media.

Duhotia said ULFA was always willing for a political resolution but will not fall prey to ?time-buying tactics? of the government in the name of negotiations.

?The ULFA will strike back with more strength at any moment,? the ULFA leader warned.

Stating that the ULFA was at a ?crucial moment? in its 31-year long struggle, Duhotia said, ?Though we are not being able to answer many questions arising in the minds of the Assamese people due to certain conditions?.but let us clarify that ULFA has an uncompromising stand on sovereignty demand.?

The ULFA was formed in April 1979 by Bhimakanta Buragohain, Rajiv Rajkonwar alias Arabinda Rajkhowa, Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia, Samiran Gogoi alias Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain and Paresh Baruah at the Rang Ghar in Sibsagar to establish a “sovereign socialist Assam” through an armed struggle.

Most of the outfit?s top leaders, including ?chairman? Arabinda Rajkhowa, ?vice-chairman? Pradip Gogoi, ?deputy c-in-c? Raju Barauh, ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain and ?publicity secretary? Mithinga Daimary, are now out of jail on bail to initiate formal parleys between the ULFA and government.

Only a few leaders, including ?c-in-c? Paresh Barua, still remain elusive.