In a major development for security agencies in the Northeast, a senior leader of the banned ULFA-Independent laid down arms on Sunday. The surrender happened in a remote area along the Indo-Myanmar border, officials confirmed.
According to a senior Assam Police officer, Arunodoy Dohutia, considered a key figure in the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-I, walked into the camp of a joint team of Assam Police and Assam Rifles early on Sunday morning. He was not alone. Another cadre from the outfit also surrendered with him.
The officer, speaking to ANI over the phone, said that both militants handed over “war-like stores,” indicating that they had deposited weapons and other sensitive equipment. However, officials have not yet revealed the exact items recovered.
Security sources said Dohutia will likely be moved to Delhi for detailed questioning. His surrender is being viewed as significant as he is believed to have information about the group’s activities, hideouts and networks along the border. More updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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This surrender also comes at a time when security agencies have been increasing pressure on ULFA-I in the border regions of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Just last month, Assam Rifles, under the Spear Corps, launched a major operation in coordination with Arunachal Pradesh Police. This operation was carried out in the Manfeisang area of Namsai district after receiving specific intelligence about ULFA-I movement.
Multiple teams were deployed on the ground. Drones, aerial surveillance, tracker dogs and technical monitoring tools were also used to trace the militants.
During this mission, troops successfully captured one ULFA-I cadre from near the Hanthi Camp area in Manfeisang. He was identified as 24-year-old Self-Styled Corporal Thawseng Asom, also known as Anupom Dohatiya. He is originally from Makum Bariakoli in Tinsukia district of Assam.
Security agencies say he was directly involved in the attack on an Army camp at Kakopathar on October 17. This makes his arrest an important breakthrough.
Following the arrest, security teams carried out more searches in the region. Their efforts led to a significant recovery of weapons. They found one MQ-RA81 rifle, three magazines, 151 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a rifle grenade and hand grenade from Pathargaon.
All seized weapons and ammunition, and the arrested insurgent were handed over to Arunachal Pradesh Police for further probe.