Dibrugarh Police have successfully dismantled an extortion racket, arresting three individuals in Moran on Saturday night for allegedly demanding Rs 60 lakh from a local medical professional. The suspects reportedly invoked the name of the proscribed insurgent group Ulfa (I) to intimidate the victim.
Police Action Initiated After Doctor's Complaint
Police action was initiated immediately after a doctor reported receiving several extortion-related SMS messages and a formal letter. The investigation was spearheaded by Deputy Superintendent of Police (HQ) Nayan Moni Baruah. According to officials, the trio delivered a written demand signed under the name "Asim Asom," a pseudonym associated with the insurgent group, to pressurise the doctor into paying the sum.
Arrests and Identification
Following a thorough technical and field investigation, police identified and apprehended the suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Krishna Moni Chetia, a resident of Bahanibari, Khowang; Jintu Gogoi from Nohat Mazgaon, Demow; and Sanjay Gogoi from Muramara Thangaon, Khowang.
"Upon receiving the complaint regarding the extortion calls and messages, our team launched a targeted operation. The swift identification of the suspects allowed us to intervene before any financial transaction took place," stated DSP Nayan Moni Baruah.
Wider Network Under Scrutiny
Initial questioning of the suspects suggests that this was not an isolated incident. Police stated that the group is allegedly linked to several similar extortion attempts targeting professionals and businessmen across upper Assam, specifically within the Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts.
"The preliminary investigation indicates that these individuals were systematically targeting multiple victims in upper Assam. We are currently examining their communication records to establish the full extent of their network," the DSP added.
The three men are currently in the custody of the Moran Police Station. Authorities have confirmed that further interrogation is underway to determine if the group has any direct links to militant organisations or if they were operating independently using the outfit's name as a scare tactic.
Local authorities have encouraged citizens to report any such threats or suspicious communications immediately to the nearest police station.
