Tezpur (Assam), March 17 (IANS) A top Indian army commander Wednesday said the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam is a spent force and has lost its sting following sustained counter-insurgency operations and people's apathy towards the rebel group now.

'The ULFA today has become weak with a large number of their top leaders either eliminated or captured. The ULFA is in total disarray,' said Lt. Gen. Gyan Bhusan, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 4 Corps.

The GOC was speaking at an army function at the corps headquarters in Tezpur in northern Assam.

'The ULFA is not in a real position to even regroup now. In the last few important occasions like the Republic Day and the Bihu (Assamese harvest festival in January), they simply could not do anything as they are on the run,' the army commander said.

The GOC also said the ULFA's downfall is a direct result of not just military operations, but also due to lack of support from the locals.

'The ULFA's backbone is now broken beyond repair and with the locals developing a revulsion against the militants, there is a double blow to the outfit,' the GOC said.

He said military operations against the ULFA and other rebel groups in Assam were going on in full steam.

'There is no question of any slowing down in operations and we are here to ensure that militant groups are not able to create violence and extortion,' the GOC said.