Assam: Suspected Adivasi Militants Nabbed In Dibrugarh, Pistols Recovered

DIBRUGARH: In what has come as a major success for security forces in the fight against militancy in Assam, a total of two Adivasi militants have been apprehended from Dibrugarh district.

A team of the Assam Rifles and 166 Territorial Army coordinated a joint operation and nabbed the militants from Dhaman Tinthengia village of Tingkhong on Sunday.

The arrested militants were later identified as Mileswar Kisan alias Sunil (38), and Shampad Cheruwa alias Rahul (30). Both militants belonged to Salmari tea estate of Dibrugarh district.

As per police sources, a 0.22 pistol and 4 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from their possession.

After their capture, both the militants were handed over to Tingkhong Police Station for further investigation. Accordingly, they are charged under section 25(1)(a) of the Arms Act.

Talking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Bitul Chetia said that the arrested duo may have affiliation with the All Adivasi National Liberation Army or AANLA and other Maoist elements operating in the state. Probe is on to find out and establish any such link.

It may be mentioned here that the AANLA was formed in 2006. The outfit which has grown its cadre strength over the years and has members largely from the tea community of Assam. Although official records put the total strength of their armed cadres at 20, it is believed that the actual figure might be near about 100. Mostly active in the Upper Assam region, the organisation has previously targeted tea estates for extorting money.

Notably, many of the AANLA rebels returned to the mainstream with many of its armed cadres surrendering before security forces in this year itself.

Earlier on September 15 this year, the Centre and the Assam Government signed a tripartite agreement with eight militant tribal outfits, one of which was AANLA. Both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the ceremony.

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