Big racket - MHA permits ULFA 'fund raising'

October 27, 2006

The United Liberation Front of Asom shot a Tinsukia businessman for his failure to meet the group’s extortion demand.
Businessman Jayanta Dey was shot at point blank range as he was entering his home at Nahorsapori.
The rebels had earlier served an extortion demand notice to Dey but he had failed to pay, resulting in two terrorists shooting the businessman on Thursday night.
This is the strategy of the ULFA – issue extortion receipts in advance and collect the money later. ULFA is the only terrorist organization in the world that extorts money from businessmen and issue proper receipts.
After the ceasefire agreement with the Centre, the ULFA issued hundreds of receipts to businessmen including tea estates to make the payments as mentioned in the receipts.
Though the ULFA used very mild language in the 'receipts', it actually means that the businessmen has to deposit the money with the couriers. After issuing
the fund-raising receipt, ULFA operatives subsequently communicate the time and
date when the couriers would collect the mentioned amount. The profile of ULFA courier has undergone a sea change to include known local politicians, union
leaders and even journalists, to reduce the risk of getting caught.
Some operatives, including journalists, are working in New Delhi also, according to sources. Few businessmen were asked to transfer funds
electronically to places as far as Hisar in Haryana and Anand in Gujarat, the IB reported.
ULFA operatives under fake identities collected the money in Haryana and Gujarat.
Signed by 28th Battalion commander Capt M Hazarika, the receipts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh were sent to many business houses, politicians, tea garden owners, contractors, government employees and shopkeepers in various places in Assam. Some receipts have also been signed by the 'finance officer' of the battalion, responsible for raising and managing the funds, like any cooperate house.
According to the Intelligence Bureau note in the Home Ministry, "Since the commencement of ceasefire, the group is now issuing receipts in place of demand
notes as voluntary donations were permitted under the ceasefire ground rules."
The security and intelligence agencies were flooded with fund-raising demand notes issued by the ULFA.
However, security agencies were issuing warning to businessmen in Assam not to fall prey to fake extortion by youth and petty criminals for person financial benefits. Nevertheless, sources admit extortion in the state had gone up to unprecedented levels.
Though all terrorists organization in the North-East extort money, the ULFA is heading the list due to their cadre strength and reach throughout the Assam, according to sources.
Though the ULFA has six battalions on paper, only three battalions, 7th, 28th and 709 are fully functional. The remaining have depleted strength.
Ironically, for small amounts, the ULFA does not issue receipts. The ULFA is also collecting toll tax on selected routes from all commercial vehicles.
The most amazing part is that state government employees in Assam and other north-eastern states, have been paying two percent of their salary to the
terrorist organization with the Central government fully aware of the situation.
The Central government has been wooing ULFA middlemen to come forward for talks, much to the charging of the Indian army and security agencies.

Small amount donations from various groups
Wood cutters and smugglers - Rs 1,000 per trip
Commercial vehicles Rs 150 per vehicle
Government employee Rs 500 or two percent which ever is higher
Petrol pump owners Rs 5,000 per month