HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 1: Veer Lachit Sena leader Bikash Axom, who had been evading arrest for several days, surrendered before the Dispur Police on Saturday amid an ongoing statewide crackdown on members of the organisation.
Police sources said Axom had been absconding since an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with an alleged extortion case.
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His surrender followed a brief social media post earlier in the day, in which he publicly announced his decision to cooperate with the authorities.
In his Facebook post, Axom wrote that he had just watched the late Zubeen Garg’s final film, Roi Roi Binale, before giving himself up to police.
“I wanted to watch the film first. Since my arrest was inevitable, I decided to see it before surrendering,” he wrote, urging others to experience the film as well.
The post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions online.
Supporters hailed it as a symbolic gesture, while others criticised the timing, given the legal charges pending against him.
During his days in hiding, Axom reportedly sent a letter to associates and media houses alleging that the government had paid social media influencers to downplay the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death.
The claim added further fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the high-profile case and its political overtones.
Police officials, however, dismissed the allegations as an attempt to divert attention from the charges against him.
“The extortion case is being investigated on solid evidence. The surrender will help us proceed with due process,” an officer said.
Bikash Axom’s surrender comes amid a broader police crackdown on Veer Lachit Sena, a group known for its aggressive regionalist stance and frequent confrontations with law enforcement.
Several members of the outfit have been detained over the past two weeks on charges ranging from intimidation to illegal fundraising.
Authorities have described the operation as part of a wider effort to “restore order and accountability” within pressure groups operating in the state.
“The law applies equally to everyone, regardless of affiliation,” a senior police official said.
With Bikash Axom now in custody, police are expected to intensify questioning over the group’s recent activities, financial links, and possible connections to other political developments in the state.
