Will respond to atrocities by security forces: Ulfa-I

GUWAHATI: Observing its 'protest day' on Monday, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) said it is ready to respond to the 'atrocities' against indigenous people by security forces.
Ulfa (I) observes November 28 as 'protest day' every year since 1990, when the outfit was banned, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) government dismissed by the Centre, President's rule imposed in the state and one of the largest military operations, Bajrang, launched.
The Paresh Baruah-led outfit, which has stepped up its activities in recent times, described its attack on the Army convoy in Tinsukia district as an example of "resistance against the security forces".
"The strike upon security forces with the help of our Manipuri brothers was a trifling blow on behalf of the people of western southeast Asia. Ulfa (I) is ready to respond to any action by security forces," Ulfa (I) chairman Abhijit Asom said in an email statement.
Three jawans were killed and four injured in the attack by Ulfa (I) and the umbrella organization Corcom on the 15 Kumaon Regiment on November 19. The outfit has also claimed responsibility for the November 26 attack on the 21 Para Regiment of the Army at Sajik Tampak in Manipur's Chandel district.
Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Baruah and MM Ngouba, chairman of CorCom's joint military commission, said, "In pursuance of the common cause of liberation, CorCom and Ulfa (I) undertake a joint military command Operation Barak against the common enemy."
After the Tinsukia ambush, Assam Police chief Mukesh Sahay had said police had reports of cadre recruitment by the outfit. The formation of the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), an umbrella body of four militant groups from the northeast, has aided Ulfa (I)'s resurgence in the region, he had added.
At least four militants of the group of 12-15 who are believed to have attacked the convoy have been identified, sources said. They are, however, believed to have crossed into Arunachal Pradesh from Assam. A combing operation in Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts is ongoing, in addition to search operation in the bordering areas of Assam-Nagaland. "The operation is ongoing," Tinsukia DSP Mugdhajyoti Mahanta said.