Freedom in name

ULFA leaders and its Chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa are supposed to be ‘free’ people after the Guwahati High Court granted them bail, with the Assam government not opposing the application. But the leaders’ recent trip to Delhi was totally controlled by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Delhi Police. The ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) leaders have been barred from carrying their personal cellphones. They are kept at secret locations in IB guest houses and are hardly allowed to meet outsiders. Many believe the ULFA leaders are also under pressure not to talk much about the ongoing dialogue process as they are not very forthcoming in opening up to the media.