ULFA leader Paresh Barua flays Indian aid to Bangladesh

Self-styled commander-in-chief of the proscribed ULFA (Independent) Paresh Barua has questioned India’s intention in extending $2 billion line of credit to Bangladesh.

In a recent interview with a Guwahati- based satellite news channel the rebel supremo claimed that India was extending financial support to its neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar to keep the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) at bay.

India signed a new $2 billion credit agreement with Bangladesh in March this year to implement socio-economic development projects in the neighbouring country.

"People of Assam should understand why these financial assistance are extended to neighbouring countries," Barua said during the interview.

It's not clear where the interview was taken. The news channel NEWSLIVE claimed it was taken at Myanmar’s Hkamti town, but Indian intelligence says it was filmed at the Chinese border town of Ruili.

“This money should have been spent on people of Assam,” the Ulfa chief said.

Barua fled to Myanmar in the wake of massive crackdown launched by Bangladesh against militant outfits from India holed up in the country after Sheikh Hasina-led government came to power after the national elections in December 2008.

In 2014, a court in Chittagong awarded death penalty to Paresh Barua, in connection with an arms haul case.

Earlier, the Royal Bhutan Army had flushed out ULFA from its territory by launching ‘Operation all clear’ in December 2003 forcing the outfit to shift its base to Bangladesh.

On his outfit’s demand for a “sovereign Asom (Assam)”, Barua demanded a plebiscite to determine what the people of the stated wanted.

Barua said he was not left alone in the fight for "Assam's sovereignty", despite many of his former colleagues, including the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, giving up the demand to initiate peace talks with New Delhi.

“My organisation's fight is continuing at its normal pace. If I am alone why is India spending so much of money in search of ULFA members in the borders of Bhutan, Myanmar and China?” Barua asked during the interview, a part of which was aired on Wednesday night.