Tribunal confirms ULFA ban extension, group with 200-250 cadres in Myanmar

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a proscribed organisation for the past 35 years, has a sizeable cadre strength of about 200-250 based in Myanmar and is likely to hold about 200 weapons at present, the government has submitted before a judicial tribunal which has confirmed the extension of ban on the group for five more years.

Following submission of documentary evidences about the activities of the ULFA, a tribunal presided over by Justice Michael Zothankhuma, judge of the Gauhati High Court, on May 21 confirmed that there was sufficient cause to declare the ULFA along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, as an “unlawful association” for five years with effect from November 27, 2024.

The tribunal was constituted for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the ULFA, along with all their factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations.

The government representatives submitted that the ULFA led by Paresh Baruah demands “sovereign” Assam and “aims to achieve this goal through an armed struggle”.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the tribunal has been told that “currently, most of ULFA cadres or leaders remain stationed in Myanmar and run four major camps there. ULFA also maintains links with other Indian insurgent groups for operational and logistic purposes”.