Tinsukia: Nine youths have gone missing from different parts of Assam’s Tinsukia district, with intelligence inputs suspecting that they may have joined the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). However, police and security agencies have not officially confirmed any links between the missing youths and the outfit.
Four of the missing youths are from the Kadamguri area. They have been identified as Lakshmajit Moran, Biplab Moran, Hati Moran and Nipu Baruah, who reportedly left their homes during the Durga Puja celebrations and have not returned since.
Five others from Tekebari village under Pengeri Police Station have also been reported missing. They are Gouranga Baruah, Ujjalit Moran, Bichitra Baruah, Satya Bangra and Gunit Baruah.
Of the five, Gouranga Baruah and Ujjalit Moran reportedly went missing on October 18, while Bichitra Baruah, Satya Bangra and Gunit Baruah have been untraceable since September 27.
According to sources, the five youths from Tekebari had left their homes on the pretext of meeting friends to discuss a football match. Their families have since been unable to contact them.
The families subsequently approached the police, following which Tinsukia Police launched an investigation into the disappearances.
An intelligence source has expressed suspicion that all nine youths may have joined ULFA-I. However, the suspected militant links remain unverified, and authorities have not issued any official statement confirming their association with the outfit.
The circumstances surrounding the disappearances, including the youths’ movements and possible links to armed organisations, are being examined as part of the investigation. Their families continue to await information about their whereabouts.