Reports quoting an intelligence assessment stated that left-wing extremists were spreading their presence in at least 22 states as well as developing links with outfits like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), mainly for procuring arms. The report listed 39 left-wing extremists groups operating in the country with underground sympathisers and armed cadre active in 15 states, while over-ground supporters existed in seven states. It further added that there were over 20,000 underground extremists active in the country and that nearly 50,000 over-ground members and more than 100,000 sympathisers and supporters were working in various frontal organisations of these outfits1.

• 1. “LTTE, ULFA source of arms for Naxals: Report,” Times of India, September 10, 2008, at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/LTTE_ULFA_source_of_arms_for_Na...