A CORRESPONDENT
NAHARKATIA: One week ago, the ULFA -I had allegedly demanded extortion money from Sarada Tea Factory of Joypur Naharkatiya. The extortion money was demanded in a letter pad of the organization with two fresh bullets. The letter pad was signed by assistant finance secretary Michael Asom. Official sources confirmed that ULFA - I had demanded Rs 20 lakh from the proprietor of Sarada Tea Factory.
On Thursday morning, a suspected ULFA-I linkman came near the pre-destined area near Joypur Tea Estate with the motive of collecting the extortion money. On seeing the police team led by Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Shwetank Mishra, the ULFA- I linkman tried to escape and to prevent him from escaping, the police team shot on the leg. Later, police confirmed his identity as Babul Deka of Tinkhong no. 2 Kasalupathar village.
Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra informed media persons that accused Babul Deka had already admitted before the police that he had come to collect the extortion money from Sarada Tea Factory, Sarujan Tea Factory and Dhapi Tea Factory.
Police registered a case against Babul Deka under the Sections of 25(1)- Arms Act, 1959 and 10/13 sections under UAPA act and sent Babul Deka to Naharkatiya Civil Hospital and later to Assam Medical College and Hospital.
On Thursday, ULFA -I sent a press statement to the media on the incident. In the press release, ULFA-I vice-president and lieutenant commander Paresh Asom clarified that since the declaration of their one-sided ceasefire on May 15 this year, the organization has stopped collecting funds from individuals and other establishments.
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