GUWAHATI: In a major breakthrough ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, the Khonsa Battalion of Assam Rifles and the Arunachal Pradesh police have successfully apprehended a militant associated with the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). The arrest took place in the border village of Nonglo, located in Arunachal Pradesh.
The apprehended individual has been identified as Aparjit Nath alias Pankaj Asom. Nath hails from Basbari in Assam and is believed to be an active member of ULFA-I.
Acting swiftly on intelligence inputs, a joint operation was launched by Assam Rifles and local law enforcement agencies in the village on August 9. The security forces cordoned off the area where they had received reliable intelligence that Nath was present. Surprising him before he could react, they managed to capture him without any resistance.
Reports in local media revealed that Nath had recently crossed over into India from Myanmar with malicious intentions to carry out nefarious activities. It is further disclosed that he had joined ULFA-I earlier this year.
This incident comes just two days after an unexpected invitation extended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to Paresh Barua, chief of proscribed ULFA-I, for a seven-day stay in the state. CM Sarma expressed his desire for Barua to witness firsthand how much Assam has transformed over time.
While it remains uncertain whether Barua will accept this invitation or not, CM Sarma had emphasised that if he does arrive in Assam during this period, necessary arrangements would be made for his safe passage and facilitated visit under full responsibility.
The successful arrest signifies a significant breakthrough for the security forces that have ramped up their efforts to curtail the banned outfit’s operations in the region.
