Rise of Paresh Baruah and ULFA: Northeast India's insurgency saga

The history of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is deeply intertwined with the story of its military commander, Paresh Baruah. 

A central figure in Northeast India's insurgency, Paresh's journey from a young idealist to one of the region's most wanted insurgents reflects the complex socio-political dynamics of Assam and its struggle for identity.

It's a journey that was never straightforward, taking unexpected turns. 

As Paresh Baruah grew in significance, ULFA's stock also went up. 

The story begins in Assam's Birpara camp in 1956, where Paresh was born. 

Rise of Paresh Baruah

Born in Assam, Baruah came from a modest background, but also from historically significant stock. 

He was born to a Matak family –  adherents of the egalitarian, proselytizing Mayamara Satra of 18th-century Assam, who initiated the Moamoria rebellion against the Ahom kingdom in the 18th century.

It was a rebellion stemming from a power struggle. It was perhaps this rebellion that stayed with Paresh.

If it was, this wasn't demonstrated early on, when Paresh worked for the Oil India Limited.  

Back home, however, things did not look good to Paresh. 

In 1981, two years after United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was formed, Paresh decided to sign up.

According to different reports, he was deeply influenced  by the socio-political environment of the time. Assam faced significant economic challenges, widespread unemployment, and a sense of neglect by the central government. 

This bred resentment among the Assamese people, who felt their identity and resources were being eroded by illegal immigration and exploitation of the state's natural wealth by external entities.

It was against this background that Paresh decided to join ULFA. 

Origins of ULFA

ULFA was founded on April 7, 1979, by a group of Assamese youth led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, Anup Chetia, Bhupen Borgohain, Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain and Budheswar Gogoi and others. 

Their mission was clear: to establish an independent Assam, free from what they perceived as economic exploitation and cultural marginalization by the Indian state.

The group's foundation was laid during the Assam Movement (1979-1985), which sought to address illegal immigration and preserve the Assamese identity. 

However, ULFA diverged from the movement's political and non-violent approach, opting for armed struggle to achieve sovereignty.

Once Paresh joined, under his guidance, the group established training camps in neighbouring countries. 

Baruah's prominence grew as ULFA began orchestrating high-profile attacks on security forces and infrastructure. 

The group's operations were funded through extortion, kidnappings, and links to cross-border smuggling networks, including arms trafficking.

On 29 July 1990, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Dibrugarh district Daulat Singh Negi (IPS) and his PSO and driver were killed by an ambush in Lahoal of Dibrugarh district by the ULFA.

Some of the major assassinations by ULFA include that of Surendra Paul in May 1990, the brother of businessman Lord Swraj Paul, that precipitated a situation leading to the sacking of the Government of Assam under Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and the beginning of Operation Bajrang.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, ULFA had gained significant influence in Assam. The group's ability to challenge state authority made it a serious security threat. Paresh, with his military expertise, was at the center of ULFA's rise. However, this period also marked the beginning of a crackdown by Indian security forces.

The 1990s saw the Indian government launch Operation Bajrang and Operation Rhino, large-scale military campaigns aimed at dismantling ULFA's network. Many leaders were captured or surrendered, but Paresh managed to evade capture, reportedly fleeing to Bangladesh and later Myanmar.

The 10-Truck arms haul case

Paresh's leadership was instrumental in ULFA's reliance on international smuggling networks for arms and funding. 

The 2004 10-truck arms haul in Chattogram, Bangladesh, revealed the extent of ULFA's operations. The massive cache of weapons seized was allegedly intended for ULFA's armed struggle. 

Paresh was named as one of the key figures behind the smuggling attempt and was sentenced to death in absentia by a Bangladeshi court in 2014.

He is allegedly residing in his Chinese safe haven near the Myanmar-China border.

A steady decline

ULFA's influence began to wane in the 2000s due to sustained military pressure and internal divisions. 

A faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa entered peace talks with the Indian government, signaling a shift toward political engagement. 

In December 2023, a peace accord was signed by the Indian Central government, the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of ULFA, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa. 

However, Paresh rejected negotiations, terming it shameful, and formed ULFA (Independent), a hardline faction committed to continued armed struggle.

The ULFA(I) faction, which is not part of the peace deal, has around 200 members who are allegedly still active in their camps in Myanmar. 

ULFA's insurgency, spearheaded by Paresh, has left a lasting impact on Assam. 

While it brought attention to the state's grievances, the violence and disruption also hindered development and exacerbated ethnic tensions. 

The rise and fall of ULFA highlight the challenges of addressing regional aspirations within a complex and diverse nation like India.