Assam: Ex-Army jawan turned ULFA (I) cadre alleges exploitation of youths by security forces to defame outfit

Former army personnel, now a member of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA (I)), alleges that security forces are exploiting young individuals to commit crimes, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the group. 

The ex-serviceman turned ULFA (I) cadre shared his experiences, raising serious accusations against the security forces in Assam.

The cadre identified as Paban Neog hailing from Narayanapur in Lakhimpur district alleged that he was inducted in the Indian Army's Assam Regiment in the year 2017 till 2023 as a jawan in a camp located in Tinkukia.

Further Neog alleged that the Indian Army asked the Assamese youths in the force to conduct fake blasts only to defame the ULFA (I). Following his disagreement with his superiors he decided to leave the army and joined the outfit in June 2023.

Citing an example of the Army, Neog said, "This May 2023 the blast which was held in Tinsukia's Makum three of his former colleagues from the army identified as Hemanta Chetia, Krishnia Moran and Bhadrajit Moran, in the name of ULFA (I) orchestrated a bomb blast under the order of commander of Dishah camp...in Assam such members are being activated in all camps."

Neog also claimed that the Army has activated field intelligence officers in several parts of Tinsukia which he was also part of while on duty which he totally unaccepted in order to safeguard his community.

The Cadre claimed that however own people think as Indian, the Indian Army does not take the people of the state as their own.

It is to be mentioned here that before joining the Indian Army, Neog represented India in the National Athletic Meet in 2015 and won the 400-metre race in Delhi.