Assam Police Arrest Two in Uttar Pradesh for Alleged ULFA-I Fundraising
Significant Arrests Linked to ULFA-I
File image of security being tightened in and around the Assam Police camp area in Tinsukia. (AT Photo)
Unnao (UP), May 28: In a notable development highlighting the extensive operations of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), Assam Police have detained two individuals in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly facilitating financial support for the militant group.
The suspects, Noor Mohammad from Saharanpur and Mohammad Subhan from Kanpur, were located in a rented space in the Budhwari locality of Unnao, where they had been residing under false identities for approximately six months, according to officials on Thursday.
A collaborative effort between Assam Police and local law enforcement led to the successful apprehension of the two men.
Authorities have filed a case against them at the Sadar Kotwali police station in Tinsukia, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) due to their suspected involvement in funneling funds to ULFA-I.
Chandrakant Mishra, the Sadar Kotwali SHO, confirmed that the suspects were transferred to Assam Police on transit remand after fulfilling legal requirements on Wednesday.
Investigators are currently looking into who provided accommodation for the duo in Unnao and the nature of their local connections.
The arrests in Unnao are part of a broader initiative to dismantle ULFA-I's alleged extortion and fundraising networks.
Recently, Tinsukia Police arrested four individuals suspected of collecting funds for the organization. Two separate cases have been initiated regarding these arrests, and investigations are ongoing.
In a related operation, Assam Police conducted a special mission in Maharashtra, where they detained Sheikh Rashiv, who has since been brought to Assam for further questioning regarding his connections to the extortion network.
These arrests occur amid a noticeable increase in alleged extortion activities by ULFA-I in Upper Assam.
On May 25, two suspected ULFA-I members, Ritu Gogoi and Jitu Gogoi, were injured during a police operation in Sivasagar while attempting to extort Rs 8 lakh from a local businessman, Lachit Gogoi, who had been facing ongoing extortion threats.
Upon noticing police presence, the group opened fire, leading to a police response. Authorities recovered two motorcycles and a firearm from the scene.
Earlier, on May 10, Dibrugarh Police dismantled another extortion scheme linked to ULFA-I, arresting three individuals—Krishna Moni Chetia, Jintu Gogoi, and Sanjay Gogoi—for allegedly demanding Rs 60 lakh from a doctor in Moran.
The extortion letter was reportedly issued under the ULFA-I banner and delivered near the doctor's home.
These coordinated arrests across five states indicate a concerted effort to disrupt ULFA-I's funding and extortion operations, which investigators believe extend far beyond Assam.