Ulfa-I announces leadership overhaul amid series of tactical setbacks

Dibrugarh: Faced with a series of significant operational blows and the loss of high-ranking commanders, the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I) has announced a organisational restructuring.The move, seen as an attempt to consolidate a dwindling command, was made public on Friday via an official press release emailed to various media outlets.The statement, issued by self-styled (SS) major Nirnoy Asom, the in charge publicity secretary of the outfit, marks one of the most drastic shifts in the group’s internal hierarchy in recent years.According to the press release, the organisation has officially dismantled its long-standing triple-tier governance structure — comprising the highest, high, and lower councils. In its place, a streamlined 24-member central committee has been formed to oversee all military and administrative operations.The new leadership structure sees the outfit’s supremo, self-styled general Paresh Baruah (alias Paresh Asom), assuming the role of president. Senior leader SS major general Michael Deka Phukon (alias Michael Asom) has been named vice president, while Moitrayee Asom takes on the critical role of general secretary.The newly formed committee includes a wide array of appointments across various departments. Parama Asom has been named cultural secretary, while SS brigadier Manik Asom takes the role of assistant finance secretary. The women’s wing will be led by SS colonel Minoti Asom as women welfare secretary, supported by SS private Shikha Asom. Logistics and internal management roles have been assigned to Milton Asom as organisational secretary and SS Lt col Chida Asom as agriculture and shelter development secretary. Other notable appointments include SS Lt col Ribel Asom as council development secretary and SS colonel Prabuddha Asom, who will handle public health and serve as a special assistant foreign secretary.The list of the 24-member body is rounded out by several junior and middle-level officers, who have been promoted to ensure continuity. These include SS major Abhimanyu Asom and SS Lt Chayan Asom in the finance department and SS captain Sonit Asom and SS captain Achyut Asom as assistant general secretaries. Furthermore, SS 2nd Lt Anuraran Asom has been tasked with publicity duties, while SS 2nd Lt Tagar Asom will handle auditing.Security analysts suggest that this consolidation of power under Paresh Baruah is a desperate attempt to project a unified front and tighten control over the dwindling ranks of the separatist movement in the face of increasing pressure from security forces.It is believed that the decision to overhaul the hierarchy has been prompted by the recent deaths of high-profile leaders and a string of surrenders that have shaken the group’s morale. In July, the outfit suffered a catastrophic blow when its bases in Myanmar were targeted by drone attacks, resulting in the deaths of self-styled Lt gen Nayan Medhi and SS brigadier Ganesh Asom. The organisation’s operational capacity was further eroded when two of its most seasoned veterans, SS major gen Arunodoy Dohutia and the outfit’s operational commander Rupam Asom, chose to abandon the armed struggle and surrendered before security forces.