From Sandeep Sharma
GUWAHATI: An ULFA-I linkman was injured in police firing at Joypur area of Naharkatiya in Dibrugarh district on Thursday.
He has been identified as Babul Deka of Tinkhong No. 2 Kasalupathar Village.
Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra claimed that the accused Babul Deka has already confessed to the crime.
Police sources further stated that Sarujan Tea Factory and Dhapi Tea Factory of Joypur area are on his extortion list.
Police have registered a case against Babul Deka under the Sections 25(1)- AA Arms Act 1959 and 10/13 sections under UAPA Act.
Babul Deka was admitted in Naharkatiya Civil Hospital and later was referred to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.
Dibrugarh Police was informed about an extortion call of Rs 20 lakh by ULFA-I from Sarada Tea Factory of Joypur Naharkatiya. The extortion money was demanded with a letter pad of the armed organisation with two fresh bullets. The letter pad was signed by ULFA-I assistant finance secretary Michael Asom.
“Today morning the ULFA-I linkman came near the area near Joypur tea estate with the motive of collecting the extortion money and faced the already awaiting police at the scene,” a senior police official said.
After seeing the police team led by Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra, additional SP Bitul Chetia and Namrup DSP Naba Kumar Bora, the ULFA- I link men tried to escape and the police team in retaliation had to shoot at his leg, he said.
“The ULFA-I linkman had served an extortion note of Rs 20 lakh to Sarda Tea Factory on July 12. He had served extortion notes to two other tea manufacturers – Dhapi Tea Company and Ullah Tea – demanding Rs 20 lakh from each of them. We got information that today he will be arriving at Sarda Tea Factory to collect the extortion amount. We deployed a police team near the factory to catch him.”
“At around 7am the person arrived riding a motorcycle and on seeing the police team he tried to flee towards the jungle. The police had to fire to stop him. He was hit in the leg during the firing following which he was nabbed. In 2012 also he was arrested by the police in a similar extortion case.”
Meanwhile, ULFA-I vice president Paresh Asom clarified that since the declaration of unilateral ceasefire on May 15, the armed organisation has stopped collecting funds from individuals and other establishments.
He alleged the involvement of some corrupt police officers and businessmen in the formation of some Chambers of Commerce.
“We have got information of collection of crores of rupees by such Chambers of Commerce,” he added.
