Assam News: Top ULFA(I) Leader Rupam Asom Arrested In Tinsukia District

Guwahati: Most wanted top leader of the banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (Independence) ULFA(I), Rupam Asom alias Konti Bora, was arrested by the Assam police in Tinsukia district on Saturday.

The ULFA(I) leader was operating along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and involved in the killing of Assam Police OC Bordumsa PS Bhaskar Kalika in 2018, anti national activities, extortion of money in the region for the last few years.

“We had been keeping a track on the movement of Rupam Asom and receiving information. His movement was traced along the Assam-Arunachal border particularly in areas such as Namsai, Lohit, and Changlang districts of Arunachal; and around Margherita in Assam where he was involved in extortion of money,” said Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Abhijit Gourab Dilip.

The SP added that an operation was launched under Assam Police, Arunachal Pradesh Police, and the armed forces.

“Districts such as Sadiya and Tinsukia were also involved in the operation,” he said.

The SP added that arms and other materials were recovered from Rupam.

Highlighting that the operation is ongoing, the SP said, “There are a number of other people in the gang against whom the police have launched operations.”

Rupam was named in the charge sheet of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the killing of Bodumsa Police Station officer-in-charge Bhaskar Kalita in 2018.

“The self-styled brigadier and official commander of ULFA(I) was involved in a number of criminal activities, attacks on civilians, police, and the army; ambushing other security forces, and in the murder of OC Bhaskar Kalita,” the SP said.

According to reports, it also alleged that Rupam was operating the proscribed outfit’s extortion racket in various parts of Assam.

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