Major setback for anti-talks ULFA faction

Guwahati, Sep 12 (UNI) The anti talk faction of ULFA suffered a jolt when one of their main leaders was gunned down in an encounter near Dirak last night, while the outfit chairman expelled a top pro- talks leader.

According to army sources, they had a tip-off about the presence of dreaded Sasanka Barua of the '28th battalion'. An encounter followed and the rebel was killed. One AK 56 rifle was recovered from his possession.

However, ULFA in a statement said Barua was picked up from Golaghat and killed in Margherita.

Meanwhile, ULFA chairman Aurobindo Rajkhowa expelled a top pro- talks leader Prabal Negog. Neog is the leader of the pro-talks faction and has been instrumental in pushing the peace process hard.

The slain ultra was one of the few remaining hardcore militants opposed to the peace process and disturbing the majority ULFA cadre of Upper Assam who had come forward for peace.

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