Anyone carrying arms will be dealt with: Assam DGP GP Singh

Four ULFA (I) cadres surrender

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Following the surrender of four ULFA (I) cadres on Wednesday, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh stated that anyone carrying arms will be dealt with the full might of the police.

While warning troublemakers not to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the state now, the DGP also said anyone who has gone to join ULFA and expresses the desire to return will be welcomed back into the mainstream of society.

GP Singh said this while addressing a press briefing here today.

The four ULFA (I) cadres who surrendered today, along with the arms and ammunition they deposited are: self-styled captain Bikram Axom @ Nayan Patmaut of Lukhura Kham Gorakhiya Habi village, under Sonari police station in Charaideo district. He belonged to Batch- 78 and joined ULFA (I) in 2010; self-styled LT. Dipok Hatiboruah @ Dibya Axom of Village No. 2, Tokowanigaon, under Digboi police station in Tinsukia district. He also belonged to Batch-78 and joined ULFA (I) on May 25, 2011; self-styled CPL Montu Moran @ Latest Axom @ Kulang Moran of Village No. 1 Nolonigaon, under P.S. Pengree in the district of Tinsukia. Moran belonged to Batch-82 and joined ULFA (I) on December 4, 2018; and Palash Moran @ Gopal Axom of Village No. 2, Nolonigaon, under P.S. Pengree in Tinsukia district. He is said to have belonged to Batch 85 and joined ULFA (I) in 2021.

The first two cadres deposited the following arms and ammunition: Thailand-made hand grenades- 2; Austria-made 9X19 Pistol- 1; and 9 mm ammunition-25 rounds.

All the above four leaders and cadres have been trained in warfare for 2 or 3 months at Taka, Myanmar, and 779 Arakan Camp, Myanmar, it was stated.

According to GP Singh, in this year, 2023, a total of 11 ULFA (I) cadres surrendered and deposited the following arms and ammunition: Thailand hand grenade— 2; Chinese hand grenade— 2; foreign-made 9X19 pistol— 2; and 9 mm ammunition—28 rounds.

He further stated that a total of five incidents were committed by ULFA (I), wherein 16 ULFA (I) cadres were arrested and 1 ULFA (I) cadre was killed in police action. Moreover, he said that the security forces recovered 2 arms, 11 rounds of ammunition, and 3 grenades from the cadres.

Later, while responding to questions from the media, the DGP said the rehabilitation of surrendered rebels was done according to a policy that ensured the self-reliance of the surrendered rebels. He said the policy entailed skill training and a lump sum amount, which would lead to self-employment. Many surrendered rebels have taken to agriculture, horticulture, and livestock rearing, he added.

“They possess leadership qualities, and they should utilize these qualities to help develop their local areas,” GP Singh said.

Expressing satisfaction at the atmosphere of peace that has prevailed in the state in recent years, the DGP said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been withdrawn from 90% of the areas in the state and that it should be removed from the remaining areas soon. However, he said, there is no use in trying to lift AFSPA if somebody goes ahead and detonates a bomb.

The DGP served a warning to troublemakers, saying that “anyone who carries IEDs, arms, or grenades would be dealt with the full might of law.”

He also sent a message to would-be surrendered rebels, saying, “Anybody wanting to come back, we will welcome them with open arms. Just give us the news; we will bring you anyhow to lay down arms.”

GP Singh also said that he has been directed by the chief minister to help bring back the youth who went off and make them self-sufficient.

He said there is a vast difference between the Assam of 1992, when he came to the state, and that of today. “I won’t let Assam be destroyed,” he asserted.

Regarding the APSC scam, the DGP said it is important to find ‘prosecute-able’ evidence against the ‘questionable officers’ who are involved in the cash-for-job scam. He said the SIT is doing its job and that he is supervising it. He also stressed the importance of the forensic tests, as people would later question how somebody could escape punishment due to insufficient evidence or a lapse in presenting it before the court.

GP Singh assured that the final charge sheet for the scam can be filed in three to four months’ time.

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