Guwahati, 19th February: The armed militant group United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) has criticized Assam Police and the state government for involving indigenous youth in secret conspiracies and espionage against the organization.
In a press note, ULFA-I urged the youth to oppose enemy plans through the practical application of self-defense and martial arts, guided by national responsibility. The organization mentioned Manash Borgohain and others held captive by them on charges of spying on the organization. ULFA-I stated that an investigation had been initiated, and the arrested individuals had confessed to several serious crimes and conspiracies.
These alleged crimes included sabotaging the organization’s internal communication system, monitoring high-ranking officers of the organization for covert operations, and undertaking counter-revolutionary roles among new members. ULFA-I accused Assam Police’s Special Branch, including high-ranking officers such as Director General of Police GP Singh and Deputy Inspector General Partha Sarathi Mahanta, of direct involvement in the alleged espionage plan.
According to ULFA-I’s press note, Manash Borgohain, a Sub-Inspector of the Special Branch of Assam Police, had been serving since 2021 and was allegedly involved in the espionage operation. ULFA-I claimed that Borgohain and several other indigenous youths had been trained for the operation at specific locations in Guwahati.
After a trial held on February 13, 2024, under the chairmanship of the President of the Lower Council, the accused pleaded guilty to the charges. ULFA-I emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards deception and deadly conspiracies, considering such acts as treasonous.
The lower court, after considering the accused’s plea for atonement through dedicated service within the organization, accepted the plea on February 18, 2024. The offender was disqualified from the organization’s membership for five years and sentenced to one year of physical labor and four years of self-correction through positive work culture. A high-powered Monitoring and Review Committee will oversee the implementation, ensuring adherence to the Code of Conduct during the period.
ULFA-I concluded by stating that it would not be liable for any adverse consequences if the offender failed to utilize this opportunity for positive change.