HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Sept 12: A senior leader of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA(I)], Mrigank Asom alias Buddheshwar Gohai, surrendered before security forces along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, personnel of Assam Rifles and the Tinsukia police took him into custody.
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Mrigank Asom, a close aide of top leader Rupam Asom, had been serving as the operational commander of the group’s 779 camp since joining ULFA(I) in April 2010.
At the time of surrender, Mrigank Asom was carrying sophisticated weaponry, including an MQ series rifle, three magazines loaded with 90 live rounds, and a hand grenade.
Police sources confirmed that Mrigank Asom is in the custody of the Tinsukia police and is being interrogated.
His surrender is seen as a significant blow to ULFA(I), which has been facing a leadership crisis following the earlier arrest of Rupam Asom.
A senior police officer said, “After the arrest of Rupam Asom, the ULFA(I) has been facing a huge crisis in their leadership. Rupam was a top commander and had successfully carried out many operations in Tinsukia and Arunachal Pradesh. His arrest has weakened the ULFA leadership.”
Police sources added that Rupam Asom and Mrigank Asom had together been involved in several activities in the Assam-Arunachal region, and that security forces have gained valuable leads after the arrest of the top leader.
