Caught amid a raging battle between the Myanmar Army and Kachin rebels, the anti-talks faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam may be in a difficult situation.
Taking advantage of this situation, the Indian government through various channels is trying to persuade the anti-talks faction of ULFA to join the current peace process with the pro-talks faction of the outfit.
Kachin rebels have a stronghold over unadministered Kachin areas in Myanmar where several north-east militant outfits including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) led by S S Khaplang are reportedly based.
According to sources, most of the camps of the anti-talks ULFA are located at Taga area of Myanmar. Its fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua is also believed to be in the area.
Thousands of Myanmar nationals have already fled the area to escape the heat of the raging war. Chinese workers who engaged in various development projects in the area have been evacuated in view of the deteriorating situation. Reports say that Chinese authorities have closed the entry points to Yunan province from this troubled spot in Myanmar.
The ULFA faction reportedly maintains camps in Myanmar with the help of NSCN-K whose chairman S S Khaplang has been expelled from the outfit by another faction creating a rift within it. The infighting within the NSCN-K may not augur well for the ULFA, as it is hardly capable of maintaining camps in Myanmar without the help of NSCN-K.
The situation inside the neighbouring country might soften the ULFA commander Paresh Barua whose wife and two sons are still holed up in Bangladesh.
