Assam: Fake ULFA cadre among four extortionists arrested in Duliajan

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: Ahead of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, Duliajan Police arrested four extortionists, including a fake ULFA cadre, and recovered a crude IED device, arms, and cash from Duliajan on Friday evening.

The arrested have been identified as Bharat Hazari from Tengakhat, Bolin Gogoi, Bitupon Gogoi alias Jayanta Asom, and Vinod Pahariya. Based on an initial FIR, lodged regarding extortion demands made to three businessmen from an unidentified SIM card, Duliajan Police, led by Officer-In-Charge Bhaskar Saikia, arrested Bharat Hazari from Tengakhat. Subsequent investigation led them to Bolin Gogoi, Bitupon Gogoi, and Vinod Pahariya.

A 7.65 mm pistol, live ammunition, 11 mobile phones, 18 SIM cards, and cash amounting to Rs 49,500 were recovered from Bitupon Gogoi while a handmade IED built with potassium nitrate and a battery were found concealed in a jungle near Ghumtal,1 No. Borbam Reserve under Tengakhat PS. According to police sources, Bitupon Gogoi alias Jayanta Asom, who lived in a rented accommodation in Duliajan was involved in extortion activities along with his accomplices and confessed to have extorted more than Rs 1 crore. He has also received training in handling of explosive devices from NSCN(K) in Dimapur and has confessed to plans of setting off IEDs in OIL installations in Tengakhat and Duliajan as a show of strength before Republic Day.

The recovered cash was collected by the accused after demanding Rs 2 lakh from Sepon Doba TE under Moranhat PS, Charaideu. The IED was to be planted to blast near Wilton Oil Khad, Tengakhat, on the morning of 26 January, in the name of C Company, ULFA-I. They have been charged under various sections of the UAPA and Explosive Substances Act.

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