Latest news with #Ulfa-I
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Saikia: Ulfa-I victims' kin facing intimidation over Baruah's condolence calls
1 2 Guwahati: Family members of Ulfa-I personnel, who had lost their lives in the 'Myanmar drone strike', are experiencing police and Army intimidation for receiving condolence calls from Ulfa-I leader Paresh Baruah or posting their grief on social media, said Assam opposition leader and Congress senior member Debabrata Saikia. Saikia, who was visiting the party's general secretary of Charaideo district Bhoben Likson's residence in Sonari district, said, "Ulfa-I's military chief, Paresh Baruah, might have offered condolences to some of the cadres' relatives in Assam over the phone. Some of these relatives expressed their grief on social media over the loss of their family members in the drone attack. Now, these relatives are reportedly being harassed by Assam Police and the Indian Army for either communicating with Baruah or for their social media posts. They are being falsely accused of having links with Ulfa-I and are imprisoned." Saikia urged CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to request the central govt to "not to harass innocent Assamese families in this manner." He said the CM had previously admitted in a press conference on Jan 1, 2024, that he communicated with Baruah on a quarterly basis. "Despite publicly announcing his contact with Paresh Baruah, has Assam Police conducted any investigation against Himanta Biswa Sarma?" Saikia asked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo "Now, phone calls made to offer condolences to the families of the deceased cadres are being used as evidence to label people as anti-national, leading to their persecution. Small business owners, farmers and others are being falsely accused of maintaining contact with Ulfa-I and are being imprisoned," Saikia said. Earlier, authorities had detained Likson while he was travelling to join a rally near Guwahati, which featured Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi. Later, he was arrested for allegedly showing his support for 'anti-national' activities through Ulfa-I associations.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Dibrugarh cops conduct anti-sabotage checks ahead of I-Day & Ulfa-I's Martyrs' Day
Dibrugarh: In a high-security operation ahead of Independence Day and Ulfa (Independent)'s Martyrs' Day, Dibrugarh Police on Saturday conducted extensive anti-sabotage checks across critical installations and public spaces in the city. While the nation will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Aug 15, the banned militant outfit has been observing July 27 as Swahid Diwas (Martyrs' Day) to honour its cadres who died fighting for a 'sovereign Assam." Led by Dibrugarh senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rakesh Reddy, the day-long operation involved sniffer dogs, explosive detectors and multiple police teams sweeping through busy marketplaces, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure, with officials describing the exercise as a 'preemptive security measure.' "We are conducting extensive anti-sabotage checks in light of the upcoming Independence Day and Ulfa-I's Martyrs' Day. This is a critical part of our strategy to ensure foolproof security. Our goal is not just to prevent threats, but also to reassure the public that their safety is our top priority," Reddy said. The SSP added that the operation was purely preventive and urged citizens to remain calm. "There is no need for panic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Female Athletes Right Now Undo Our security forces are fully prepared and these checks will continue in the coming days. However, public cooperation is essential," Reddy said. Security agencies in Dibrugarh remain on high alert during this period, given Ulfa-I's history of attempting to disrupt activities around 'Swahid Diwas' and Independence Day. Police have intensified patrolling and surveillance, particularly in crowded areas and near govt buildings.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
NIA arrests two for Ulfa's I-Day conspiracy in Assam
Guwahati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said two more individuals had been arrested in connection with the recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which had been allegedly planted by Ulfa-I in Guwahati, as part of a larger conspiracy to carry out multiple blasts across Assam during Independence Day celebrations last year. The accused have been identified as Bhargob Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi, both residents of Dibrugarh. According to the central investigating agency, the duo were directly involved in the conspiracy, orchestrated by the proscribed organization, aimed at striking terror and threatening India's sovereignty, security and integrity. Officials said the two were arrested from Dibrugarh on Tuesday. With these arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in the case has now risen to three. The NIA, which took over the investigation from Dispur police in September last year, had already chargesheeted the three accused last month. These charges were filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and The Explosives Substance Act. The terror plot came to light a day before Independence Day last year, when Ulfa-I chief Paresh Baruah released a video. In the video, he declared that the outfit would protest against Independence Day and carry out a "military protest" across the state on August 15. He further urged people to boycott the celebrations, warning that the outfit would not be responsible for any consequences if instructions were disobeyed.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ulfa-I will not strike its own people in retaliation: Himanta
Guwahati: After United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I) chief Paresh Baruah vowed to retaliate for the alleged attack on their camps in Myanmar, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he is hopeful that Baruah will not strike his own people in Assam, which is also his (Baruah's) homeland. On Sunday, the banned insurgent outfit Ulfa-I claimed that three of its cadres were killed in a targeted drone attack by the Indian Army on its mobile camps in Myanmar. Ulfa-I said the strikes killed its senior leader Nayan Asom, while 19 other cadres were injured. Sarma reiterated that when contacted, the Centre informed the state govt that they have no information about the attack on ULFA-I camps. "Assam govt has no official information about any strike till now. Govt of India has not informed us that there was any strike. So, whatever we learnt, we learnt only from the statement of Paresh Baruah. We do not have any other additional information," Sarma said. He clarified that Assam police is neither involved nor aware of any such strike on ULFA-I camps. "I don't think there will be retaliation. He (Paresh Baruah) is from Assam, so why will he retaliate on Assam? If they hurl a bomb, it will harm Assam's land, damage Assam's schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Why These Off-Plan Dubai Apartments Sell Fast? Binghatti Developers FZE Read More Undo Why will they harm Assam?" Sarma said. "I hope that they will not harm Assam, their home, in retaliation to the attack on them. Assam is not only my home, but also his (Paresh Baruah's) home," Sarma said. "I do not see any probability of any retaliation," he added. Meanwhile, Congress's Gaurav Gogoi said CM Sarma must be aware of the strike on Ulfa-I camps. "Many are saying Operation Sindoor took place again. For us, the black days of secret killings have returned, targeting our elder brothers," Gaurav added.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam Police arrest 22 Ulfa-I, NSCN-KYA cadres in July: IGP
1 2 3 4 Dibrugarh: In a crackdown on insurgent activities, Assam Police have arrested 22 cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang Yung Aung (NSCN-KYA) from various districts of the state in July, inspector general of police (IGP), northeast range, Satya Raj Hazarika said on Monday. Addressing a media briefing at Charaideo, Hazarika revealed that nine linkmen of the two militant outfits were also apprehended in Charaideo district in June. The operations were part of a sustained effort to curb subversive activities ahead of Independence Day. "We have arrested 22 cadres of the Ulfa-I and NSCN-KYA from various districts this month. Last month nine linkmen of the Ulfa-I and NSCN-KYA were nabbed from Charaideo district", Hazarika said. "Based on intelligence inputs regarding potential subversive activities by militant groups ahead of Independence Day, coordinated operations under the Unified Command — comprising Assam Police, Assam Rifles, and the Army — have been intensified, particularly in Upper Assam districts bordering Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Security forces are on high alert to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations, and we will not allow any disruptive activities," he said. The IGP said the arrests were a result of meticulous intelligence gathering and swift action by security personnel. "These arrests have significantly disrupted the operational capabilities of these groups in the region," he added. The arrests form part of a broader security sweep that began in June, when nine linkmen associated with Ulfa-I and NSCN-KYA were nabbed from Charaideo district alone. These linkmen typically serve as crucial intermediaries between militant groups and local communities, facilitating recruitment, logistics and intelligence gathering for underground organisations. Charaideo SSP Surjeet Singh Panesar, who was also present at the briefing, added that the crackdown would continue. "We are closely monitoring suspicious movements, especially in border areas. Our aim is to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents," Panesar said. The heightened security measures come amid reports of militant groups attempting to escalate violence in the run-up to Aug 15. Security forces have increased patrolling, set up checkpoints, and conducted raids in sensitive locations. With Independence Day approaching, Assam Police and allied forces remain on high alert, determined to thwart any attempts by insurgent groups to disrupt peace in the region.
