Guwahati : Recently surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) member Arunodoi Dohotia has claimed that ULFA-I commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah has been stationed in China for nearly a decade and has not visited the organisation’s Myanmar bases during this period. Dohotia, also known as Arunodoi Asom, laid down arms recently, offering fresh insight into the outfit’s rapidly deteriorating presence across the Myanmar border.

Senior Assam Police officials told The Assam Tribune that Dohotia’s surrender has helped security forces assess the current state of ULFA-I’s operations in Myanmar. According to his account, the camps-once the outfit’s principal bases of training and shelter-are now struggling with dwindling morale, leadership disconnect, and relentless pressure from targeted drone strikes.

Officials said the drone attacks have triggered anxiety even among Naga rebel factions, who have traditionally sheltered ULFA(I) cadres. The increasing risk of cross-border surveillance and strikes has made these groups reluctant to maintain close links, fearing “unwanted complications”.

Why Dohotia walked away

Police sources said Dohotia’s decision to surrender stemmed from both operational fatigue and disillusionment. The once-structured militant network, he revealed, now faces a crisis of discipline and ideological vacuum.

Among the key reasons he cited:

”         Drone strikes have eroded morale, making militant movement risky and unpredictable.

”         Young recruits lack ideological grounding, with no political or orientation classes being conducted in recent years.

”         Cadres see no future in prolonged conflict, prompting growing interest in surrender among those still stationed in Myanmar.

Dohotia also claimed that communication gaps and mistrust have widened within the organisation. He said Baruah has been operating remotely, rarely interacting with ground commanders. The rift deepened further after the Kakopathar Army camp attack-allegedly executed under Baruah’s direction without consulting Dohotia.

Family left behind, cadres willing but unable to return

Police sources added that Dohotia’s wife and two children remain in Myanmar. He reportedly fled with only one bodyguard, leaving his family behind due to the risks involved in escaping across the border.

According to Dohotia, a significant number of ULFA(I) cadres are eager to surrender but remain trapped inside Myanmar due to heavy monitoring, logistical challenges, and fear of reprisal. The camps are currently under the control of senior leader Michael Deka Phukan.

As the ULFA-I leadership remains scattered and its Myanmar bases come under sustained pressure, security officials believe more defections may follow-potentially signalling one of the outfit’s most fragile phases in years.