GUWAHATI: Notwithstanding warnings from Assam’s Director General of Police, urging the youth to steer clear of joining the proscribed outfit United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I), a youth from Assam’s Dibrugarh has reportedly joined the Paresh Baruah-led group.
The newly identified ULFA-I recruit goes by the name Palash Konwar.
Konwar’s allegiance to ULFA-I was confirmed through a video shared on social media. His decision to join the insurgent group comes at a time when security forces and government authorities have been actively discouraging such affiliations.
Meanwhile, the family of Konwar has appealed to ULFA-I leader Baruah to ensure the safe return of their son. These pleas follow a recent incident involving an MMA player from Bajali district in Assam, Abhinash Kalita, who was allegedly executed by ULFA-I for attempting to escape the group’s camp in Myanmar.
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Reacting to the reported execution of Kalita, Assam’s DGP GP Singh reiterated his plea to the state’s youth, urging them not to waste their lives in the service of what he described as an “autocratic” organization like ULFA-I.
He implored young individuals to recognise the value of their lives and cautioned against affiliations with groups that pose a grave risk to their well-being.
“Once again, same story. They won’t change. Young friends from Assam, don’t waste your life for an autocratic organisation. Your life has no value there. Please, please, please,” he has posted on a micro-blogging website.
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Kalita had joined ULFA-I in March 2022 but reportedly made an escape attempt in September of the same year, along with another cadre named Deep Axom, also known as Tanmoy Bora. Tragically, both were apprehended and later executed.
Kalita’s father had also shed light on the dire circumstances, expressing concern about the inadequate food supply, stressing that many youths have lost their lives within the camp due to these challenging conditions.
