ULFA to 'target' Congress in Asom

Guwahati, Oct 3: Heavy movement of ULFA cadred was reported from all over Asom in the wake of last night's threat from the organisation to the Congress, saying more ''excesses'' from the Army would mean more trouble for the ruling party.

''The Congress has to pay the price now,'' said the ULFA mouthpiece ''Freedom''.

Security agencies in the state were already anticipating trouble from ULFA cadres. A militant was killed by police in a checkpost at Lakhimpur last night, official sources said.

The ULFA had publicly never been so angry towards the Congress since the regime of former chief minister late Hiteswar Saikia (1990-1992), who took the charge after a spell of President's rule when the ''Operation Bajrang'' was launched.

''More excess from the Army in the state means more trouble for the Congress and its party members in the state. They used the ULFA to win the election with the drama of talk and resumed the operation after escaping from the peace process'' said the ''Freedom''.

The Congress, which had become almost invincible in the state after sweeping victories in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha poll taking advantage of disarray of both AGP and BJP, was shocked at the development and no one was ready to come out openly to react to the ULFA threat.

''The party have taken it very seriously and despite assurance of adequate security, the party has realised that blood will flow in the coming days, '' said a general secretary requesting strict anonymity because of fear of ULFA attack. The ULFA in its mouthpiece gave more than one hint that militant organization was cleverly used by the Congress to win these elections neutralising the Opposition.

''Now they are escaping from the peace process, blaming us for the failure of the talk. But if you look at the action of the ULFA between September 9, 2005 to September 23, 2006, ULFA has not only softened its stand but acted almost as per the wish of the people of Asom to give peace a real chance. It withdrew two of the three preconditions for negotiation. It first tried to start the peace process through media and then formed PCG. But the Government has remained insincere from the beginning. '' He ULFA accused Government of trying to divide the PCG.

''Towards the end the PCG was not taken seriously and in fact two of the intermediaries were directly called and more conditions were imposed despite the fact three rounds of talks took place with PCG. These are all Congress game plan. Now they are to pay the price for all these. '' Denouncing any political talk, the ULFA for the first time categorically said they were going to intensify their ''battle'' against the Indian state and Congress in particular signaling the coming days would be more troublesome for Asom and its people.

UNI