In a significant breakthrough, police have arrested Rupam Asom, a commander of the banned militant outfit ULFA (I), from the dense jungles along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The arrest took place following a targeted operation by Tinsukia police, who acted on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of Asom and his group in the area.
According to police sources, Asom and his associates were hiding in the forested region and were allegedly planning subversive activities. Acting swiftly, the police launched a search operation, resulting in Asom’s arrest. Along with the commander, security forces also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the hideout.
Rupam Asom is a key accused in the 2018 killing of Assam Police officer Bhaskar Kalita during an encounter in Tinsukia. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously filed a chargesheet against him and several other ULFA (I) operatives, including Arunodoi Dahotia, in connection with the case.
In addition to his involvement in militant activities, sources said Asom was also running an extortion racket in Tinsukia and parts of eastern Assam. A manhunt is currently underway to track down the remaining members of the ULFA (I) group operating in the region.
