Longding, Arunachal Pradesh: In a fresh setback to the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), four of its cadres have surrendered before the Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district, handing over weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores.
The surrender took place during an intelligence-based operation along the Chupkhao Track in Longding, according to a Defence Ministry spokesperson. The operation followed sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and engagement by security personnel.
The four cadres surrendered four weapons along with ammunition and other war-like materials. Security officials said the development could affect the operational capabilities of ULFA-I in the strategically important region bordering Assam and Myanmar.
According to the Defence spokesperson, the surrender was facilitated by continued efforts by security forces that combined operational measures with outreach and engagement. The approach is intended to encourage insurgents and vulnerable youths associated with militant activities to abandon violence and return to the mainstream.
The latest surrender comes amid continuing security operations against ULFA-I along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh frontier and in Upper Assam.
The development also comes at a time when security agencies have reported growing difficulties for ULFA-I cadres operating from camps in Myanmar. Information reportedly gathered from members of the outfit who have surrendered or been arrested in recent months suggests that conditions at some of the camps have deteriorated.
Police sources have previously indicated that financial difficulties are affecting the functioning of ULFA-I camps, with shortages of funds reportedly making life increasingly difficult for cadres. Some members are believed to be considering a return to Assam and surrendering before the authorities.
However, security sources have also claimed that the ULFA-I leadership has taken steps to prevent cadres from leaving its camps. According to these reports, groups described as “cut-off parties” have been deployed in Naga villages in Myanmar to intercept members attempting to return to India.
Cadres caught trying to leave the outfit are reportedly subjected to severe punishment, the sources said.
The surrender of the four cadres in Longding adds to the security forces’ ongoing efforts to disrupt ULFA-I’s network while creating avenues for militants willing to give up armed activities and return to civilian life.
