Assam: Former ULFA (I) cadre arrested in Guwahati; explosives seized in Udalguri

Udalguri: In a significant operation, Udalguri Police apprehended former ULFA (I) militant Bijay Asom alias Papu Koch from Assam's Sonapur near Guwahati on November 3.

The arrest led to the recovery of explosives and ammunition, marking a major success in the district’s anti-insurgency efforts.

Police sources said that Tangla Police earlier registered a case (Tangla P.S. Case No. 59/24) after receiving input about a plan to form a new militant group, the 'Revolutionary Front of Greater Assam.'

The initial operation resulted in the arrest of Rajiv Deka, from whose house a grenade was recovered.

Three others, Jumon Bora, Pinku Seal, and Jintu Baishya, were later detained for their alleged links to the case.

During a press briefing at Tangla Police Station on Friday, Udalguri Senior Superintendent of Police, Padmanabh Baruah, said further investigation revealed the involvement of the ex-ULFA (I) cadre, known for his violent past.

Acting on intelligence, police teams tracked and arrested him in Guwahati.

Following his confession, a team led by Tangla Police conducted a search in the Dimachanga forest area under Lalpani Outpost on Thursday night, where they recovered two live grenades, 55 rounds of ammunition, and a detonator.

Officials said Bijay Asom had joined ULFA (I) in 2012 and received militant training abroad. He was also an accused in the 2019 grenade blast near City Center Mall in Guwahati, which was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Investigators believe he began plotting to form a new outfit during his imprisonment. SSP Baruah said the district police will tighten surveillance and conduct a special drive to detect and seize illegal weapons and explosives in Udalguri.