In a significant breakthrough, Lekhapani police in Tinsukia district arrested three individuals on Friday who were allegedly in the process of joining the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I). The arrests effectively dismantled a fresh recruitment module of the organisation.
Ulfa-I Chief's Response
Ulfa-I chief Paresh Baruah, in a telephonic conversation with TOI, downplayed the arrests, stating, "As long as Ulfa-I is there, people will come to join. This is not a big issue. Until there is a solution, people will continue to join us."
Details of the Arrested Individuals
The arrested individuals have been identified as Antu Moran (34) of No 2 Tekeri Gaon, Bijoy Moran (28) of No 2 Naloni Gaon, and Newton Moran (22) of No 2 Tekeri Gaon. All three are residents of Tinsukia district.
Police Confirmation and Investigation
Tinsukia additional superintendent of police (headquarters) Mrinmoy Das confirmed the arrests and stated that an investigation is ongoing. "Ulfa-I has been actively trying to recruit manpower and engage in extortion activities in the border district of Tinsukia," Das said, adding that police are probing the full chain of the recruitment network behind the latest bid.
Growing Concern Over Ulfa-I Activities
The arrests come amid growing concern over Ulfa-I's persistent attempts to replenish its cadre strength by targeting young men from remote villages of upper Assam. Tinsukia district is widely regarded as a hotbed of Ulfa-I activity. Its shared boundary with Arunachal Pradesh makes it relatively easy for the insurgent group to facilitate the movement of recruits toward Myanmar, where the outfit maintains camps.
Recruitment Strategies
Security agencies and intelligence sources have long flagged Ulfa-I's calculated strategy of zeroing in on marginalised, remote communities. With the urban middle class growing increasingly sceptical of the outfit's methods, Ulfa-I shifted its focus toward remote villages and predominantly backward areas of marginalised indigenous communities for recruitment. Unemployed youth of upper Assam have been the primary targets of Ulfa-I's recruitment drives.
Extortion Activities Revived
The outfit has also reportedly revived extortion activities in areas such as the Jagun region of Tinsukia district, discreetly targeting businessmen for ransom. Officials said that despite sustained pressure from security forces, Ulfa-I continues to exploit the socio-economic vulnerabilities of rural youth in upper Assam's border districts.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Authorities have urged villagers to report suspicious overtures and remain vigilant against recruitment bids by the banned outfit. The police have assured that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary action to prevent further recruitment activities.
