Confounding, isn't it?
Looks like the 'Xaap hoiw khwta aru bez hoiw joraa' phenomenon
has become an acceptable practice in the corridors of desi-power
now.
Centre, State
puzzled over US action
From Our Staff Correspondent
NEW DELHI, April 29 - US State Department's sudden move to list outlawed ULFA as among Other Selected Terrorist Organisations (OSTO) has left the Ministry of Home Affairs and Assam Government puzzled. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was equally clueless by the US Government's move and said that neither the State Government nor the Centre had any reason to recommend such an action against ULFA at this stage. "When a process has started and contact has been established, why should such a move be initiated," he wondered.
Sources in the MHA said that the US might have acted after reports of the recent bomb blasts in the State. The intention to send a warning to Bangladesh without naming it has also not been ruled out.
What is puzzling security experts here is that timing of the State Department's move. The ULFA has been under pressure after the Bhutan operations and the Country Report on Terrorism 2004 also admits that its cadre strength has declined from 3000 to 700 and most of its members were on the run in Assam.
An angle being examined is that the role of the multi-nationals. ULFA heavily extorts the tea companies and other major MNCs operating in the State and a theory being explored is that the MNCs may have influenced the US in acting against the outfit.
State Government sources said that the role of RAW also could not be overlooked as the external intelligence may have supplied the necessary information to the US to curb the movement of ULFA leaders in foreign countries. ULFA leaders are known to be frequent flyers and often visit the South East Asian countries and Pakistan to procure weapons and other assistance.
Meanwhile, sources said that contact has been established with a points-man designated by ULFA. Contact was established with him through the good offices of Dr Manmoni Raisom Goswami. The person, whose identity is being kept under tight wraps was in Delhi recently and met top officials of the Central Government. Future communication between the outfit and Centre is likely to be conducted through this person, sources said.
From Our Staff Correspondent
NEW DELHI, April 29 - US State Department's sudden move to list outlawed ULFA as among Other Selected Terrorist Organisations (OSTO) has left the Ministry of Home Affairs and Assam Government puzzled. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was equally clueless by the US Government's move and said that neither the State Government nor the Centre had any reason to recommend such an action against ULFA at this stage. "When a process has started and contact has been established, why should such a move be initiated," he wondered.
Sources in the MHA said that the US might have acted after reports of the recent bomb blasts in the State. The intention to send a warning to Bangladesh without naming it has also not been ruled out.
What is puzzling security experts here is that timing of the State Department's move. The ULFA has been under pressure after the Bhutan operations and the Country Report on Terrorism 2004 also admits that its cadre strength has declined from 3000 to 700 and most of its members were on the run in Assam.
An angle being examined is that the role of the multi-nationals. ULFA heavily extorts the tea companies and other major MNCs operating in the State and a theory being explored is that the MNCs may have influenced the US in acting against the outfit.
State Government sources said that the role of RAW also could not be overlooked as the external intelligence may have supplied the necessary information to the US to curb the movement of ULFA leaders in foreign countries. ULFA leaders are known to be frequent flyers and often visit the South East Asian countries and Pakistan to procure weapons and other assistance.
Meanwhile, sources said that contact has been established with a points-man designated by ULFA. Contact was established with him through the good offices of Dr Manmoni Raisom Goswami. The person, whose identity is being kept under tight wraps was in Delhi recently and met top officials of the Central Government. Future communication between the outfit and Centre is likely to be conducted through this person, sources said.
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