Reported by Laxman Sharma
Digboi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out search operations at three houses in Tarani village under Pengeri Police Station in Assam’s Tinsukia district, reportedly in connection with an investigation into suspected links with the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent).
According to sources, the central agency team reached the village in around 10 vehicles and was assisted by personnel from Pengeri Police Station. The NIA officials also visited the police station during the course of the operation.
A senior official in the Tinsukia district police administration confirmed the development, stating that the NIA team had come to conduct searches but said the local police had not been informed about the specifics of the case.
The searches were conducted at the residence of Ujjal Baruah, who is said to be an active member of ULFA (I). Two other residents, Niranta Moran and Pankaj Moran, were also questioned over their alleged association with the proscribed outfit.
Tarani village, located in Upper Assam, has long been considered sensitive from a security standpoint due to its proximity to forested corridors linking it to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and onward to the India-Myanmar border.
The area is covered by dense vegetation and has historically been viewed as conducive to militant movement.
The precise reason behind the NIA searches and details of the case under investigation were not disclosed till the filing of this report. Further details are awaited.