Kolkata,
Jan 22
Even as Indian security forces crack down on the United Liberation
Front of Asom (ULFA), it is reportedly funding select candidates in
the now deferred general elections in Bangladesh, well informed
sources here say.
The sources say that ULFA is providing money to certain candidates
from a cross section of parties in the election expected to produce
a stiff contest between the two main alliances led by the Bangladesh
National Party (BNP) and the Awami League.
"It is partially funding at least 15 candidates, besides indirectly
donating to party funds of a few major parties," a source, with
access to reliable information in the underground, told IANS.
"It is not a coincidence that most of these candidates are also very
close to the ISI (the Pakistani intelligence agency)," the source
added.
According to reports from Bangladesh, ULFA, the most active
insurgent group in northeastern India, is pumping over Rs.300
million ( nearly $6 million) in the polls.
According to Indian government sources, the self-styled
commander-in-chief of ULFA, Paresh Barua, is one of the wealthiest
leaders in the outfit. His personal earnings a year from business
ventures in Bangladesh are staggering. The total assets of ULFA are
valued at over Rs.5 billion. This includes several benami (illegally
operating) companies.
Barua, against whom Interpol alerts have been issued, also goes by
the names of Kamruj Zaman Khan, Nur-uz-Zaman and Zaman Bhai in
Dhaka.
Anti-terror specialist and former Punjab Police chief K.P.S. Gill
says on his website www.satp.org (South Asia Terrorism Portal) that
ULFA has launched several income generating projects in Bangladesh.
"It has set up a number of firms in Dhaka, including media
consultancies and soft drink manufacturing units. The ULFA
reportedly owns three hotels, a private clinic and two motor driving
schools in Dhaka."
The site says that Paresh Barua is reported to personally own or has
controlling interests in several businesses in Bangladesh, including
a tannery, a chain of departmental stores, garment factories, travel
agencies, shrimp trawlers and transport and investment companies.
Reliable sources quoting political leaders in Bangladesh said
Barua's funds are being managed and assisted by a senior functionary
and candidate of one of the parties fighting elections.
The ULFA leadership has managed to stay in Bangladesh for close to
15 years regardless of the party in power, be it pro-India Awami
League or Khaleda Zia- led BNP. There is not a single report of
Bangladesh taking any action against ULFA, barring some isolated
cases.
Gill indicates on his website that it is an open secret in
Bangladesh that ULFA leadership is living an open and luxurious life
in that country.
Reports indicate that the stakes for ULFA in the coming Bangladesh
election is very high. The new government will have the authority to
decide either to give shelter to ULFA leaders and cadres or to hand
them over to India.
Analysts say ULFA apprehends that with Indian influence growing in
Southeast Asia and with the US cooperating with India on many issues
including terrorism, the possibility of the rebels being deported to
India seems very real.
"ULFA has to pay protection money to government officials of
Bangladesh," said one source who spoke strictly on the condition of
anonymity.
And rogue elements within the Pakistani intelligence ISI know that
their grip on ULFA is "complete and firm", the source added.
Like many revolutionary groups that start with an ideology and
purpose, ULFA has veered off its cause for which it was created 27
years back. The recent senseless killings of Bihari migrants, most
of them poor, in Assam have again raised questions about the agenda
of ULFA, which claims to be fighting for a sovereign Assam.
(c) Boloji.com :
1999–2008 : All
Rights Reserved Boloji.com is owned and managed by Boloji Media Inc Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may
be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
