Guwahati, 27th October: In a startling development, the banned militant group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) released a video message on October 27, shedding light on the chaos that has engulfed their Myanmar camp over the past eighteen months. The turmoil is attributed to an alleged illicit relationship between Lachit Hazarika, also known as Salim Ali, and Barnali Axom, who used the alias Nayanmoni Chetia.
The video message features 13 male and 7 female ULFA-I cadres, who detail the internal discord. Lachit Hazarika and Barnali Axom’s alleged romantic involvement sparked significant discontent within the camp. The video reveals that Barnali engaged in romantic liaisons with other cadres and aided some in escaping from the camp.
Furthermore, the video exposes Barnali’s connections with the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) mediator, Dibakar Debraj Singha, and her alleged involvement in intelligence spying. This illicit relationship contributed to internal conflicts, including Lachit Hazarika punishing James Axom for expressing disapproval. This ultimately led to Lachit’s and Barnali’s sentencing to capital punishment.
The video identifies some of the involved cadres, including Sabita Chetia from Dhemaji, who had left with Barnali, and senior lady leader Purnima Barauh, known as Mitu Axom, who was arrested in 2021.
The video also references an incident from 2021 when a young man from Margherita, who had joined ULFA and had an affair with Barnali, tragically took his own life.
This revelation underscores the extensive turmoil caused by Lachit Hazarika and Barnali’s relationship, as Lachit Hazarika’s entry into ULFA in 1990 is marked by their romantic involvement.
On October 3, ULFA(Independent) claimed responsibility for the execution of top ULFA-I leader Lachit Hazarika, also known as Brigadier Salim Asom, and cadre Barnali. Lachit Hazarika, who had joined the outfit in the 1990s, was close to ULFA-I chief Paresh Baruah. Barnali had joined the outfit in 2021.
Both Lachit Hazarika and Barnali were sentenced to capital punishment in Myanmar’s Sagain area in Hachi camp on September 20. The ULFA-I stated that they had violated the organization’s constitution and policies by cooperating with Indian intelligence forces and blackmailing comrades into surrendering with weapons to the enemy. This revelation provides a rare glimpse into the internal strife within the banned militant group.
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