In a significant blow to the dwindling ranks of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), a trained corporal of the banned insurgent group has laid down his weapons and surrendered to security forces in Assam's Tinsukia district.
The dramatic surrender of ULFA(I) operative Biraj Asom, also known by his code name, unfolded on Tuesday when he turned himself in before a joint team of Tinsukia Police and the esteemed Assam Rifles paramilitary force.
From Insurgent to Civilian: The Journey of Biraj Asom
Security officials revealed that Biraj Asom was an active and trained member of the ULFA(I) cadre, having joined the outlawed organization back in 2021. His surrender represents another critical crack in the foundation of the militant group that has long troubled the Northeast region.
"This surrender is part of the continuing process of the ULFA(I) weakening," stated a senior police official familiar with the operation. "When trained corporals choose to return to the mainstream, it sends a powerful message about the group's declining influence and the effectiveness of our rehabilitation efforts."
Security Forces' Persistent Efforts Yield Results
The successful surrender operation highlights the coordinated efforts between state police and central paramilitary forces in combating insurgency in Northeast India. The Assam Rifles, with its long-standing presence in the region, has played a pivotal role in numerous such surrender cases.
Security analysts note that surrenders like Biraj Asom's demonstrate the changing dynamics in Assam's security scenario, where more militants are opting for peaceful rehabilitation rather than continuing their armed struggle.
What This Means for Assam's Future
- Continuing decline in ULFA(I)'s operational capabilities
- Growing confidence among militants in government rehabilitation programs
- Enhanced intelligence gathering from surrendered cadres
- Positive impact on overall security situation in Northeast India
The surrender comes at a time when security forces have intensified operations against remaining ULFA(I) elements in the region, particularly along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border areas where the group maintains some presence.
