Assam: Yet Another ULFA (I) Cadre Surrenders in Tinsukia

Tinsukia, July 19, 2019:

Late at night on July 18, at around 09:58 pm, an United Liberation Front of Asom, Independent (ULFA-I) cadre laid down arms and surrendered to security personnel in Tinsukia district of Assam.

The cadre has been identified as self-styled Lance Corporal Inderjeet Gogoi alias Tez Axom (29), who originally hails from Basa Gaon in Sadiya in Upper Assam.

A 9 mm Pistol along with one magazine and five live rounds of ammo were recovered from his person.

It may be mentioned that Gogoi is the fourth ULFA(I) cadre to surrender within a span of two days.

The cadres who surrendered to the security forces have been identified as self-styled Sgt Maj Nirab Axom alias Joydeep Moran (33), active since 2006; self-styled L/Cpl Uddipon Axom alias Karunjoti Chetia (26), active since 2014; and self-styled Pvt Latumoni Axom alias Poklash Das (25), active since 2010.

149 7.62mm live rounds were recovered from the possession of the surrendered ULFA (I) cadres.

Reports suggest that the insurgent groups ULFA (I) and NDFB (S) might be on its last legs in Myanmar and the cadres stationed in Myanmar are desperate for the feel of familiar Assamese soil under their feet. Many cadres have come back to Assam in recent times because of the hardships they are facing in Myanmar.

It has also been alleged that ULFA (I) leader Paresh Baruah has orchestrated the deaths of youths who sought to return to Assam due to the ULFA’s ‘no return’ policy. Baruah, however, has categorically denied the reports and said that they were being punished for other crimes.

It may be added that ever since the Myanmar Army launched the offensive at the behest of the Indian Government, many cadres belonging to the ULFA (I) and NDFB (S) have laid down their arms, which included the Foreign Secretary of the NDFB (S).

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