Acting on a tip-off, the Bharalumukh Police led by Officer-in-Charge of Bharalumukh Police Station, Moni Kanta Chamua, nabbed an alleged linkman of the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) from Dispur near the GNRC Hospital in Guwahati on Tuesday and seized Rs 1 lakh in cash from his possession.
The 36-year-old alleged ULFA-I linkman, who has been identified as Nipon Das, hails from Boko in Kamrup (Rural) district.
Talking to Northeast Now, Moni Kanta Chamuah said, “Nipon Das had demanded Rs 10 lakh from a Dhubri-based businessman over the telephone few days ago. Later, Das agreed to pay Rs 1 lakh after a long conversation with the businessman.”
Chamua also said, “The businessman asked the accused to collect the money from Kumarpara area at Bharalumukh on Tuesday. In the meantime, we got special inputs about the incident. Later, the accused changed the location to Bhangagarh near Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) but failed to collect the money. Finally, we nabbed him from near GNRC Hospital, Dispur along with the money.”
“Nipon Das, who was an active ULFA-I cadre had surrendered in Duliajan few years back. In 2017, he was arrested in West Garo Hills in an extortion case. He has now become active again as a linkman for the militant outfit,” said Chamua.
A case (No- 599/18) has been registered under Section 387 (Putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 at Bharalumukh Police Station.
According to police sources, the accused was produced in the District & Session Judge Court, Kamrup (Metro) on Wednesday.
Chamua further said, “We have taken him under police custody for four days.”