InsideNE exclusive-ULFA(I) reduced to zero in lower Assam after dy C-n-C Dristi rajkhowa appointed as GNLA top gun

Guwahati, February 26, 2018:

The reincarnation of the elusive Dristi Rajkhowa, Dy C-n-C of ULFA (Independent) as the acting C-n-C cum Chairman of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in place of Sohan D Shira who was killed by a SWAT team of Meghalaya Police on 24 February, 2018 has been attributed as a major blow to the Paresh Barua led ULFA (I) faction currently active in Upper Assam and having bases at Eastern Nagaland and neighboring Myanmar.

The announcement is likely to break the backbone of the ULFA (I) in lower Assam, the front which was so far managed by the Dy C-n-C for the last 30 years.

A message in social media platform Facebook by one Gobin Mark, spokesperson of GNLA stated that GNLA had an emergency meeting and acting C-n-C cum Chairman is entrusted to Dristi Rajkhowa temporarily until one among the 5 senior GNLA cadres is appointed as the new C-n-C.

The release also read that Dristi will continue to be with the GNLA as one of the leaders and will help it making it stronger. Gobin in the statement also informed Dristi’s willingness to bring 50 ULFA cadres into the GNLA. Dristi Rajkhowa is ULFA Dy C-n-C and is one leader of ULFA for 30 years and he will lead GNLA in place of Sohan D Shira for now.

Insidene has information that Dristi, a dreaded commander of the banned ULFA and highly active in both lower Assam and Meghalaya especially Garo Hills is believed to have severed ties with Paresh Barua led ULFA since 1993 which is apparent from the latest photograph posed by ULFA in Myanmar which is but without their Deputy C-n-C.

The leader allegedly has the strength of 50 cadres under his disposal besides a huge arsenal of arms and ammunition, a considerable part of which was brought to Assam before the Bangladesh Arms haul case. Allegedly an IED expert, Dristi’s hand was suspected in the gruesome murder of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma recently.

It has been learned that top heads of Meghalaya police were also certain about Dristi’s presence when Sohan was killed. However, the ULFA leader managed to give security forces a slip despite extensive combing operations.

Already a war of words among the Garo people and opposition has commenced after the announcement of Dristi Rajkhowa as the C-n-C cum Chairman of GNLA terming the GNLA as the puppet of Dristi and ULFA and that GNLA is a fool by taking the support of ULFA.

Apprehensions are that the newly rechristened GNLA will start extortion from the people of the Garo Hills. Whatever be the developments, the appointment of Dristi Rajkhowa as the top gun of the outfit will pave way for the entire company of 50 ULFA cadres to join GNLA which will then boost up GNLA’s presence in the Garo Hills.

While the joining of 50 ULFA cadres is also seen as a calculated move by Dristi Rajkhowa as it will not reduce ULFA (I) to zero but will also be a reason for anxiety for government agencies and security forces.

It is to be noted that Drishti Rajkhowa being a Rabha there is some ethnic affinity. But people of Garo Hills are at a loss after the GNLA’s latest decision.