Authorities in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested two individuals suspected of being cadres of the banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). Security agencies have initiated a comprehensive investigation into their local networks and potential hideouts within the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the arrested individuals have been identified as Noor Mohammad, originally from Saharanpur, and Mohammad Subhan, from Kanpur. Both men had reportedly been residing in a rented accommodation in Unnao’s Budhwari area for approximately six months, allegedly under concealed identities.
The operation to trace and apprehend the duo was conducted by a specialized team of Assam Police, with crucial assistance from the local Unnao police and surveillance units. Officials confirmed the arrests on Thursday.
According to statements from Assam Police, the arrested individuals are alleged to have been involved in fundraising activities to support ULFA-I. A case has already been registered against them in Tinsukia district, Assam, under various stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Sadar Kotwali Station House Officer (SHO), Chandrakant Mishra, stated that after completing the necessary legal formalities, the accused were handed over to the Assam Police on transit remand on Wednesday. The investigation is currently focused on identifying individuals who may have provided shelter to the suspects in Unnao and ascertaining the nature of their local associations and contacts.
The ULFA-I, also known as the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), is a militant group that has been seeking an independent Assam. The outfit has been involved in various subversive activities in the northeastern state of Assam. The arrests in Uttar Pradesh suggest a potentially wider network extending beyond the group’s traditional operational areas, prompting a coordinated response from multiple state police forces and central security agencies.
The involvement of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) indicates the seriousness of the charges, as this legislation provides special powers to the central government to designate certain organizations as unlawful and to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in terrorist activities. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is set to replace the Indian Penal Code, also carries provisions for dealing with acts of militancy and sedition.
Unnao district, situated in Uttar Pradesh, is not typically associated with the activities of northeastern militant groups. The presence of these individuals and their alleged involvement in fundraising activities raises significant questions about their motives and the extent of their operations in the region. Law enforcement agencies are expected to delve deeper into their financial transactions and communication records to uncover any further leads.
The investigation aims to dismantle any support infrastructure that might exist for such banned organizations in areas far removed from their primary theatre of operation. The collaboration between Assam Police and Uttar Pradesh Police in this matter underscores the interconnectedness of national security challenges and the need for inter-state cooperation in combating militancy and anti-national activities across India. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
The Chenab Times News Desk