Guwahati, 31st October: An ex-serviceman turned member of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA (I)), Paban Neog, has come forward with disturbing allegations, claiming that the Indian Army is exploiting young individuals to carry out illicit activities to tarnish the reputation of ULFA (I).
Paban Neog, originally from Narayanapur in Lakhimpur district, asserted that he served in the Indian Army’s Assam Regiment from 2017 to 2023 as a jawan at a camp in Tinkukia. According to Neog, the Indian Army instructed Assamese youths within their ranks to stage fake explosions with the intention of defaming ULFA (I). Disagreeing with his superiors over these actions, he chose to leave the army and joined ULFA (I) in June 2023.
Neog cited an incident in May 2023 when a blast occurred in Tinsukia’s Makum. Allegedly, three of his former army colleagues, identified as Hemanta Chetia, Krishnia Moran, and Bhadrajit Moran, orchestrated the bomb blast in the name of ULFA (I) under the orders of the commander of Dishah camp. Neog claimed that such activities involving army members were happening in various camps across Assam.
He further alleged that the Army had activated field intelligence officers in several parts of Tinsukia, a role he himself occupied during his service. This move, he contended, was unacceptable to him as it compromised the welfare of his community.
Neog expressed his belief that while his people consider themselves Indian, the Indian Army does not treat the people of Assam as its own.
It is worth noting that before joining the Indian Army, Paban Neog represented India in the National Athletic Meet in 2015, where he won the 400-meter race in Delhi.
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