GUWAHATI: A few days ahead of Republic Day, police in Darrang district in Assam averted an attempt by the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I) to recruit new cadres and arrested seven persons, including a pro-talks leader. The arrests come after a 10-day operation that began on December 30.
“We had information about movement of some Ulfa cadres in the district. On the basis of the information, we carried out an operation and arrested seven cadres,” Amrit Bhuyan, Darrang superintendent of police, said.
The cadres have been identified as Khanindra Kalita, alias Jyotish (29), Hiren Kalita (35), Dharmendra Deka (26), Balen Deka (38), Dhrubajyoti Baishya (37) and Ashim Adhikari alias Raj Dutta (27), while the pro-talks Ulfa lader is Prasanna Saikia, alias Prasenjit Chaliha (58).
“They were engaged in recruitment of new cadres for the outfit and were working for the last three months. They have already arranged 10 youth, who were due to be sent to the outfit’s camp for training. Two youths, who were sent by them, have already returned from Dimapur in Nagaland,” the SP, adding that the outfit was targeting youth from financially weak families.
Police have found direct contact of cadres with topmost leaders of the militant organization in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, extortion letters and mobile phones, along with other objectionable items, have been recovered from the cadres. “Preparations were afoot to serve extortion notices to prominent businessmen and industrialists in the areas. Blank pads with letter heads of Ulfa-I have been recovered from them,” the SP said.
Police suspected that the outfit was trying to create unrest ahead in the region ahead of Republic Day. “There might be such a plan. We are investigating the matter and can say something once the interrogation is completed,” Bhuyan said, adding that vigil has been beefed up in the district to foil any attempt to create unrest in the district.
Three Ulfa-I linkmen were nabbed from Bordumsa area in Tinsukia district in upper Assam on Monday. The three have been identified as Grisup Phukan, Dhanya Saikia and Bijoy Dubey. Police recovered two pistols, 14 rounds of live ammunition, Rs 23,000 in cash and two mobile phones from their possession. According to sources, they were involved in running an extortion racket in the district.