Tinsukia: A hardcore ULFA (I) leader was arrested from Penegeri, Tinsukia district. The leader, who is identified as 2nd Lt Prantik Asom was arrested on Wednesday night in an operation carried out by the Indian army and Tinsukia police. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the outfit's leader.
The arrested leader is not only the chief of logistics and administration but also a member of the think tank of one of the operational ULFA (I) camps in Myanmar. The security forces also claimed that the leader, Asom is a close aide to their leader, Lieutenant Colonel Arunodhoy Asom.
The arrested militant along with the recovered items were handed over to Tinsukia Police for further investigation.
Earlier in November, one of the ULFA(I)'s top commander and former deputy commander-in-chief, Drishti Rajkhowa surrendered in Meghalaya after he was cornered in a gun-battle with the police and commandoes. Rajkhowa surrendered after a 30-minute battle when he realised that there is no chance to escape. Rajkhowa was cornered near the Bolbogkre village in South Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
Following the arrest of Rajkhowa, Michael Deka Phukon alias Michael Asom was appointed as the new deputy C-in-C of ULFA (I).