Exclusive: Money makes Ulfa commander Paresh Baruah a rebel

Elusive Ulfa commander Paresh Baruah has been opposing talks with the Centre because he has allegedly made huge financial investments in Bangladesh.

Intelligence sources say Baruah has a widespread financial network in Bangladesh and so does not want to return to India.

According to a report of Indian security and intelligence agencies and the National Security Intelligence of Bangladesh, which carried out a three-month probe against Baruah, he has invested over USD 20 million in Bangladesh allegedly under a fake identity.  Zee News has a copy of the secret report prepared by the security agencies.

The report reveals that USD 14 million of the investment is apportioned to one Karujjama, a London-based businessman.

With an investment of $7 million, Baurah also owns 17 per cent shares in Dhaka-based Basaundhara Real Estate owned by one Akbar Sobha Shah Alam.

He has invested $4 million in Eastern Housing Project owned by one Babul, while in the Jamuna Group Housing Project he has invested $3 million.

Using a false identity — of Jumen, a Dubai resident —  Baruah bought  30% shares in Samrita Hospital owned by Dr Jahid Hassan in Dhaka, and a similar stake in Kasem Textile owned by one AKM Maidul Islam.

The ULFA commander also has 30% stake in Chowdhury Shipping owned by Salauddin Kader Chowdhury. All these are worth nearly $5 million.

Baruah also has a stake in a well-known restaurant, Wimfray Chinese Restaurant, with an investment of $1 lakh.

Baruah’s annual income from these investments, according to the security agencies, is $75,000 dollars every quarter. He earns $2 million from his investments in Samit Group and One Group Dilkusha.

According to the reports, he also gets more than 5 lakh dollars annually through Western Money Changer transactions. This money is being used to support militant activities such as buying weapons and paying money to Ulfa cadre.

According to top intelligence sources, Baurah’s financial transactions are already under the scanner of the enforcement agencies of Bangladesh.