Paresh Baruah invested millions of dollars in Bangladesh companies: Report

NEW DELHI: Elusive ULFA military chief Paresh Baruah, who is opposed to peace talks with the government, invested millions of US dollars in several Bangladeshi companies having interests in real estate, shipping, textile, power and medical care.

In a classified report, security agencies also said he receives USD 1.5 million every quarter as remittances from these businesses and an additional USD 5,00,000 every quarter through Western Money changer from other sources.

The report said Baruah invested USD 14 million in three Dhaka-based real estate firms -- Basundhara Real Estate, Eastern Housing Project and Jamuna Group Housing Project -- in the name of one Karujjaman, a London-based businessman.

In Basundhara Real Estate, Baruah invested USD seven million, which is 17 per cent of the company's total share.

While in Eastern Housing Project Baruah invested USD four million, which is nine per cent of the total share, in Jamuna Group Housing Project the ULFA leader invested USD three million, which is two per cent share of the company.

The report was prepared following a three month-long investigation on Baruah's illegal transactions and business activities in Bangladesh.

Sources said the National Security Intelligence (NSI) of Bangladesh and the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh have reportedly kept these companies under their radar and are contemplating action against them.

The NSI has also reportedly brought the issue of Baruah's illegal activities to the notice of the highest level of the Bangladesh government.