China is not Assam’s enemy: Hardline Ulfa

The Ulfa faction that is holding out against negotiations with the central government has said China is not an “enemy” of Assam but of India. The Paresh Barua-led wing of the Ulfa has also opposed the land acquisition drive for IAF bases in the state.

The Ulfa faction that is holding out against negotiations with the central government has said China is not an “enemy” of Assam but of India. The Paresh Barua-led wing of the Ulfa has also opposed the land acquisition drive for IAF bases in the state.

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In view of China’s threat to the country’s northeastern region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre has decided to improve infrastructure facilities for the IAF in Assam.

In an email to media houses, the faction’s publicity chief, Arunuday Dahotiya, said the Assam government, on the orders of the Centre, had been secretly acquiring land in Jorhat, Chabua and Tezpur.

“In the last few days, there (has been a) systematic campaign against China. The Indian government (is) demonising China in such a way that fear (grows among) the masses ... This is a move for land acquisition for IAF bases. China is not an enemy of Assam but an enemy of India. Indigenous Assamese have no need to fear China,” said Dahotiya.

Referring to the 1962 India-China war, Ulfa’s anti-talks faction said if the Chinese had any interest in the natural resources of Assam, it would have occupied the state then.

Intelligence agencies have from time to time said the anti-talks faction of Ulfa has China’s co-operation.