The Charaideo district police in Upper Assam cracked the sensational case of firing on the main gate of the Hajua Tea Estate in Moranhat.
In the incident which took place in the evening of June 9, 2019, two bikers, who claimed to be ULFA militants, opened fire at the main gate of Hajua tea garden which created much sensation.
The incident took place around 15 days after the manager of the tea estate was served with an extortion demand note.
Also read: Assam: Suspected ULFA-I rebels open fire in Dibrugarh’s Hajua Tea Estate
After that, a series of police operations were launched and one person was arrested on June 12.
Since then, all leads dried up and the case had turned into a blind case with no inputs or leads coming whatsoever.
“Appreciating the gravity of the incident and the possibility of revival of such modus operandi in the arca, a special team was formed by Charaideo district police that included additional SPs, Mrinal Deka and Pradip Saikia along with SDPO Sonari, Tridip Kumbang and CI Anil Moran,” stated Charaideo SP Anand Mishra.
“After lot of setbacks and initial failures, the hard works of the team finally led to success and following a lead and by connecting dots, the blind Case was cracked by the evening of 10th July, 2019,” the SP further stated.
After that a series of raids continued at various locations in and around Charaideo district in which all the prime accused including the person who prepared the ULFA demand note, served the demand note and the two persons who actually fired upon the Hajua Tea Estate were arrested, he informed.
During interrogation and when confronted with evidence, they yielded and led the police team to the recoveries of all items that were involved in the case.
“On their lead, the mobile phone used to prepare the ULFA demand note, the other mobile phone used to transmit data and used for initial communications and planning, the computer and printers used to refine and print the demand pad, the bike used during serving of the demand note and during the firing upon the tea estate, the helmet used to cover face, the 0.22 bore pistol used to fire upon the tea estate, all have been recovered and seized,” the SP stated.
The arrested have been identified as 34-year-old Akash Pradhan, a history-sheeter and resident of Hingrijan Bahabari at Moranhat in Charaideo; 34-year-old Jiten Thakur, an employee and resident of Hajua tea estate and 38-year-old Uttam Telenga, a resident of Khumtai tea estate.
“It is suspected that this group, may be as a part of a larger gang, were involved with similar cases in the past in this area and is expected that the arrest of these persons will give a halt to such activities in the Charaideo-Dibrugarh bordering areas and will create a sense of security to the general public and a sense of respect for law in the hearts and minds of the criminal elements,” the SP hoped.
They were forwarded to the court and were remained to the police custody for further interrogation and investigation.