Sonitpur: The Sonitpur district police, in a joint operation with CRPF commandos and multiple district police units, arrested seven individuals and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The arrested individuals were allegedly in the process of forming a new armed organisation. The operation, which began on Sunday night and continued into Monday morning, was launched following a specific intelligence input. It was carried out in Rowonchandri village near Thaula Centre in the Batashipur area, close to the inter-state border.
Addressing the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Barun Purkayastha said that during the raid, police recovered two 7.65 mm pistols, 16 rounds of ammunition, two walkie-talkie sets, and five mobile phones from two separate locations within the village. Initial arrests included Gabra Basumatary from Majbat (Udalguri district), Rohit Basumatary from Dhekiajuli, and Akheb Basumatary from Arunbari. Upon interrogation, their links to a larger network came to light. Based on further intelligence, police, with assistance from Kamrup and Chirang police, arrested two more suspects, Rubul Boro alias Pandek from Amingaon in Guwahati and Anchola Islary from Runikhata, Chirang. The two were allegedly involved in planning and recruiting for the proposed armed group.
The crackdown led to another successful operation near the Chapai River at the base of the Arunachal hills, where two more individuals, Chang Narzari of Bentol and Philip Basumatary of Runikhata, were arrested from an improvised camp in Dheraibil. From the camp, police recovered two handmade rifles, ammunition, two khukris (traditional knives), two mobile phones, torches, and food supplies, including rice and pulses. "In total, seven individuals have been arrested. We’ve recovered a significant cache of weapons, including two 7.65 mm pistols, two handmade rifles, ammunition, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and sharp weapons. Most of the accused have prior criminal backgrounds," SSP Purkayastha informed.
The police suspect a wider nexus and have stated that further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend more individuals connected to the case.