Indian agencies have a strong suspicion that NSCN(K) unilaterally pulled out of a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in March at the instance of some elements in China. Since then, the insurgent group has carried out several acts of violence.
According to MHA sources, Paresh Baruah of ULFA (I) was instrumental in bringing together several insurgent groups operating in the North-East States. Accordingly, the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia comprising ULFA (I), NDFB (Songbijit) and other outfits was floated in April, under the chairmanship of NSCN (K) chief S.S. Khaplang.
“Baruah had twice attempted to bring together the insurgent groups. This time round, he contacted Khaplang and convinced him to rope in other like-minded insurgent groups to target Indian security forces. Assured of support from some elements in China, he went ahead with the plan,” said an official.
Intelligence inputs suggest that Baruah has been shifting base between Ruili and Kunming in the Yunnan province of China.
It is suspected that the insurgent groups, which have set up camps in the thickly forested areas of Myanmar, have been getting weapon supplies from a factory of assault rifles being run at Pangwa in the Kachin province of Myanmar, close to the Chinese border.