Assam Timeline - 2010

Date

Incidents

January 1

The 8^th Maratha Regiment recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted under the Chalingi Railway Bridge in between Gohpur and Dubic Railway Station in the Sonitpur District.

A United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) linkman, Sanjay Sarkar, was arrested by the Kokrajhar District Police and Army from North Rangapara village under Fakiragram Police Station.

The Interpol issued a red corner notice against ‘chairman’ of the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Ranjan Daimary, who was wanted as Doimary Ranjan alias Ronsaigra Nabla Doimari alias D.R. Nabla.

January 2

Unidentified militants shot dead three persons, including two pro-talks NDFB cadres, identified as Jwngsar Brahma alias B. Jwhwlao (28) and Losen Brahma (27) of Serfanguri designated camp, and one college student, Bilifang Basumatary (20), at Mukuldang under Gossaigaon Police Station in Kokrajhar District. A truck driver and two other students were also injured in the gun attack.

Shankar Gupta informed the Police that his son, Raja Gupta (22), was abducted by suspected cadres belonging to the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB from his father’s tea estate at Sapoi in Sonitpur District on December 21. He had not immediately informed the Police about the abduction of his son, since he was threatened to remain silent by the abductors. Sources said that he had been asked to pay a "hefty amount" by the NDFB for the release of his son.

A relative of a pro-talks ‘commander’ of the NDFB was shot dead by unidentified militants of Ranjan Daimary fraction of the NDFB at Silapur village in the Balijuri area under Sootea Police Station in Sonitpur District along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The victim was identified as Udai Mushahari, brother of NDFB ‘commander’ M. Failou.

January 4

Assam Tribune quoting The New Age reports that Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India, Tariq A. Karim, in a recent letter to Bangladesh Government, said a possible backlash from ULFA and religious extremists in Bangladesh has made the mission’s compound in New Delhi extremely vulnerable.

Unidentified militants open fire on a Police convoy, killing a Constable and injuring two others, including a Sub-Inspector, near Impui Basti on the Haflong-Mahur road in the North Cachar Hills District. Two siblings, one of them a 10-year-old girl, also die in the ambush after they are caught in the cross-fire as the Security Forces (SFs) retaliate after the gunmen, hiding in the foliage on both sides of the road, open fire on the two-vehicle Assam Police convoy.

A 52-year-old schoolteacher, Lilabati Basumatary, was shot dead by suspected cadres belonging to pro-talks faction of the NDFB at Harisingha Deolguri in the Udalguri District. Lilabati was the elder sister of Ranjan Daimary, who is leading the anti-talk faction of the NDFB.

An unidentified NDFB militant was shot dead by Security Forces (SFs) at Bamundittari village under Mukalmua Police Station in Nalbari District.

Two People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) cadres, arrested by the 11 Field Regiment of the Red Sheild Division at Fulertal under Lakhipur Police Station, were produced before the CJM Court at Silchar in Cachar District.

The ‘publicity secretary’ of the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) Razak Dera said that that they were open for immediate peace talks with the Centre but demanded that Union Home Minister should be present in that talk. He said that the outfit's cadres, who were for a separate Karbi State, would not surrender but only deposit their arms.

January 5

A 65 year old person, Debeswar Barman, was killed and his 13-year old son, Nirmal, was wounded when a bomb was exploded by suspected militants at their residence in Gakulkata village of Kokrajhar District along the Assam-West Bengal border.

A cadre belonging to Ranjan Daimari faction of the NDFB was shot dead by SFs near Belsiri tea estate under Misamari Police Station in Sonitpur District. The SFs were reportedly assisted by cadres belonging to pro-talks faction of the NDFB.

The North Cachar Hills District Police confirmed that National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) had carried out January 4 ambush on a Police convoy to avenge the killing of two of its cadres near Haflong in December 2009. A constable of the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police and two siblings were killed in the attack near Mahur town.

A cadre belonging to ‘3rd battalion’ of the NDFB led by Ranjan Daimary alias D. Nabla, identified as Bipul Boro, was arrested by troops of 65 Field Regiment of the Red Horns Division of the Army while traveling in a passenger bus near Namkhola in Darrang District.

January 6

Sentinel reports that the office of the Jorhat basin manager of the ONGC received an extortion note demanding INR five million from the ‘finance secretary’ of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U) outfit recently. In the extortion note, the outfit ‘served’ December 29, 2009 as deadline for paying the money.

The ULFA threatened to attack SFs and vital installations in Assam ahead of the Republic Day celebration on January 26. "We are going to step up our offensive and target security forces and other vital installations," self-styled ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah said in an e-mailed statement.

The pro-talk faction of the NDFB denied hand in the killing of Lilabati Basumatary, sister of Ranjan Daimary ‘chief’ of anti-talk faction of the outfit, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at her residence at Harisingha Deolguri in Udalguri.

January 7

Assam Police described ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Barua’s threats as nothing but old wine in new bottle while asserting that Security Forces (SFs) were on high alert and prepared for any challenge. Reacting to the threats, Assam Director-General of Police Shankar Barua said "Threats from ULFA are always there and there is nothing new in his statement."

The Eastern Air Command (EAC) Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal K. K. Nohwar said, "Our bases have perimeter walls and tiered-security layers to thwart any possible attack." The EAC Chief added, "All our commanders have been briefed to remain professional and retain combat edge. They have to be operationally ready at all times".

The ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah, who joined Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) as a porter in 1978 and went underground a few months later, was sacked by the Indian Railways.

January 8

Shillong Times reports that tension has gripped Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas in the wake of January 4 killing of NDFB anti-talks faction ‘chief’ Ranjan Daimary's sister Lilawati Basumatary by unidentified gunmen at Harisinga in Udalguri District.

A senior leader of the ULFA, identified as Bhim Kanta Buraguhain alias Mama, was produced in Tezpur court.

Assam Rifles (AR) Director General Lieutenant-General K. S. Yadava, addressing the 175^th anniversary of the AR said, "United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was raised in Assam on the slogan of `Assam for Assamese'. But it's no longer what it was. My personal perception is that 50% of the lower cadre of ULFA is from across the border''. He added that the `hardcore cadre' of ULFA was now down to just about 200 or so.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, "Some positive signals are there that they are willing to hold discussions with us. We are expecting something in writing from ULFA."

One businessman, Rakesh Prasad (20), was abducted by suspected militants belonging to anti-talk faction of the NDFB at Misamari area in Sonitpur District.

Bangladesh Local Government Ashraful Islam said that former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had a secret meeting with jailed ULFA leader Anup Chetia during a visit when the then Premier Khaleda Zia belonging to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in power.

January 9

The SFs arrested one Zakir Hussain (35) from Chakragram of Darrang District and recovered a hand-made pistol and eight rounds of ammunition including four rounds belonging to AK-47 from his possession.

January 10

Two suspected ULFA militants were killed in an encounter with the SFs at Na-Kuchi under Khetri Police Station in the Kamrup (urban) District.

Two suspected All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) cadres were killed in an encounter with the Police in between Merabil and Shillongkhuti villages under Mazbat Police Station in Udalguri District.

January 11

Assam Government invited leaders of the Black Widow (BW) for "advanced talks" on the outfit’s demands. "We have had several rounds of talks till now on how best to meet their demands and rehabilitation. Tomorrow’s [January 12] discussions are of an advanced nature. We are hopeful of a major breakthrough very soon. Things are on track and moving ahead smoothly," a Government source said.

The Assam Police arrested a key conspirator in the killing of Lilabati Basumatary, elder sister of Ranjan Daimary, 'chief' of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB.

January 13

Two NDFB militants, identified as Robinson Sangma and Santiram Brahma, were killed in an encounter with the SFs at Jaldoba under Kazigaon Police Station in Kokrajhar District.

Unidentified militants exploded one crude bomb near a shop at Station Chariali in Sibsagar Distrct.

An NDFB cadre, identified as Dinesh Boro, was arrested near the ISBT under Gorchuk Police Station in Guwahati.

One .303 rifle along with six rounds of ammunitions of an SLR rifle were recovered by SFs from Rangagarh Bisimari village near Orang National Park under Dalgaon Police Station in Darrang District.

SFs conducted a search operation in a cloth store at Chak Bazar under Dhubri Police Station in Dhubri District on an unspecified date and recovered a country-made pistol from the shop. The Police also picked up a person for investigation.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, replying on the issue of handing over top ULFA and NDFB leaders, said India and Bangladesh are working on an extradition treaty. The report adds that India and Bangladesh on January 11 signed agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and Combating International Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

The top leadership of the United Peoples' Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) stated that uncertainty on the peace talks with the outfit is likely to disappear by mid-February, the tentative date fixed for holding the next round of parleys with the Centre.

Assam Tribune quoting official sources reports that the Government of China is yet to extend cooperation to India to prevent militant groups of the Northeast region from procuring weapons from that country, while, reports of frequent visits of the militant leaders to China has also become a matter of serious concern.

One militant belonging to ceasefire-group of the ULFA, identified as Dilon Dowerah, and one Army trooper, Havaldar Dayal Singh, were killed in an encounter at Talpathar village under Pengeri Police Station in Tinsukia District.

The Army, however, said that another member of the gang might be injured in the encounter.

January 14

Two Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) cadres, identified as Abdus Salam and Noor Islam, were arrested by SFs from Rakhaldubi area under Baguan Police Station of Goalpara District.

One NDFB cadre, Sinnat Nursery, was arrested by SFs from Dhigolipur under Bismuri Police Outpost in Kokrajhar.

Telegraph reports that the Assam Government has decided to modify its rules for recruitment of constables in Assam Police to accommodate surrendered militants who fail to qualify for being overage or for lack of academic aptitude.

A Congress party leader, Arun Sarkar, nominated from Mazbat Assembly constituency to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), was shot dead by suspected militants belonging to anti-talks faction of the NDFB at Khusurabari in Udalguri District.

January 15

One person, identified as Gagan Das (38), was killed and 13 others injured in a blast near the Swahid Vedi area of Udalguri District. The deceased was a former 'organising secretary' of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).

The Army arrested four suspected ULFA militants from Surya Pahar under Naranarayan River Police Station of Goalpara District.

Telegraph reports that Tinsukia District Police registered at least six cases of abduction and extortion against a group formed by surrendered ULFA militants and a gang of insurgents who managed to escape from the outfit's designated camps.

Telegraph quoting SF sources reports that China's own political exigency in Myanmar was the factor responsible for ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Barua finding a safe haven along the China-Myanmar border.

January 16

A cadre belonging to Ranjan Daimary fraction of the NDFB was shot dead by the Police at Veragaon, a village 5 kilometres from the Udalguri town. Another militant managed to escape from the incident site. Both were involved in the January 15 grenade blast in Udalguri town killing one person and injuring 10 others.

Two unidentified militants shot dead Khagen Kataki (44), former leader of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), near Punia Bridge in Rangamati of Darrang District. Kataki hailed from Borthekeribari village under Mangaldai Police Station in Darrang District.

January 17

The dead body of a businessman, identified as Prabhu Choudhury, was recovered from Mohgaon village under Pengeri Police Station of Tinsukia District. He was reportedly abducted by suspected ULFA militants with the help of a surrendered militant, Dilon Duara, from Kakopathar on October 28, 2009.

The Congress party in Assam asked its activists in the Bodo area not to venture out after sunset, after two recent killings and Police inputs that the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB may target them. The warning came ahead of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, likely to be held in April.

January 18

An unidentified militant belonging to the NDFB was arrested by SFs in Lakhimpur District.

The formal surrender of arms by the KLNLF was postponed till the second week of February, instead of the earlier schedule of January 26. Sources said there was a marked difference between the Assam Government’s assessment of the outfit’s strength and the figure provided by the group. The other reason for the delay was the KLNLF’s insistence to surrender arms in the presence of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

The ULFA stated that its jailed leaders would not jump parole, if freed from prison to facilitate peace talks with the Government. The jailed ULFA leader Pradeep Gogoi responded following reports that the Assam Government was contemplating granting parole to at least eight top jailed ULFA leaders to facilitate peace talks, but the Centre is apprehensive that the militant leaders might jump parole and go underground.

A surrendered ULFA militant, Kamal Nath, stated that the Congress party was behind the secret killings during the Prafulla Kumar Mahanta regime.

A militant belonging to anti-talk faction of the NDFB, identified as Ananta Brahma alias Posima (30) from Kochugaon area, was killed at Amlaiguri under Salakati Police Station in Kokrajhar District.

January 19

Three militants of the anti-talks faction of NDFB were shot dead by Security Forces (SFs) in two separate incidents of Kokrajhar District. Four militants, including three women, were also arrested by the SFs from the incident site.

Unidentified militants shot at Charu Prasad Das, branch manager of United India Insurance Company in Kokrajhar District.

The ULFA 'vice-president' Pradip Gogoi and 'publicity secretary' Mithinga Daimary filed petitions in the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) Court seeking bail.

The ULFA stated that autonomy would divide the State. In its mouthpiece Freedom, the outfit criticised the State Government for its alleged failure to punish the "secret killers". The ULFA mouthpiece also said that the outfit would continue to attack the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Army.

One ULFA militant, identified as Santosh Rabha (22), was arrested by the Assam Police at Japorigog area in Kamrup District. This arrest assumes significance in the light of ULFA’s threats of attacks ahead of Republic Day.

January 20

A businessman, Rakesh Prashad of Missamari area, who was abducted by suspected militants of anti-talks faction of the NDFB on January 8, was released at Golai centre near Sonai-Rupai sanctuary of Sonitpur District.

January 21

A suspected militant belonging to anti-talks faction of the NDFB was killed by SFs during an encounter at Jhingabil area under Mazbat Police Station in Udalguri District.

Ruling junta of Myanmar assured that it plans to launch coordinated operations with India to flush out Northeast militants from its territories and has promised to help track down elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah.

January 22

A joint boycott call against January 26 Republic Day celebration was given by militant outfits based in Manipur, Assam and Tripura such as Manipur People’s Liberation Front, ULFA, National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) and NDFB.

Unidentified militants exploded a remote-controlled IED on a subway at Garibangha area under Bijni Police Station of Chirang District along the India-Bhutan border. Two Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) members, Daneswar Goyary and James Basumatary, along with some officials managed to survive an attack.

The Unified Command asked the Assam Government to move the Centre and the Nagaland Government to rein in Naga militants and stop them from venturing into neighbouring States.

SFs have zeroed in on Rowta reserve forest in Udalguri District following reports that cadres of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB have set up temporary camps in the area.

One militant belonging to the '28th battalion' of the ULFA, identified as Dipak Saikia (33) alias Bhai, was arrested by the Police from Elengmora area under Pulibor Police Station in Jorhat District.

January 23

The Police recovered an IED from Lalmati area under Basistha Police Station in Guwahati City. Police, however, failed to arrest the ULFA cadre, identified as Lakhi Das alias Jishu belonging to the '109th battalion' of the outfit.

January 24

A suspected militant belonging to anti-talks faction of NDFB was shot dead by the Police during an encounter at Nijara centre in Jhingabil area under Mazbat Police Station of Udalguri District.

Another unidentified militant of the same anti-talks faction of the NDFB was shot dead by SFs at Sesapani village in Kokrajhar District.

Suspected cadres of anti-talks faction of the NDFB exploded a bomb on the railway tracks at Deka Mising Gaon under Simenchapari outpost in Dhemaji District.

An IED weighing 15 kilograms was recovered by SFs from a bus coming from Tangla to Guwahati at Mahilipara, around 18 kilometers away from Mangaldoi of Darrang District. Ismail Ali, the driver of the bus was also arrested following the recovery of the IED.

An IED weighing 2.5 kilograms was recovered and subsequently defused by the Army at Gandhoiguri village under Khowang Police Station in Dibrugarh District.

Two ULFA militants, identified as Hiteswar Kachari and Maheswar Rabha, were arrested by SFs from Goalpara District.

January 25

Official sources reports that a suspected NSCN militant was lynched and five others were injured by local people when they came to abduct a businessman in Golaghat District along the Assam-Nagaland border.

An IED weighing 10 kilograms was recovered by SFs from a Dhubri-bound Assam State Transport Corporation bus coming from Siliguri at Chagolia inter-State check post in Dhubri District.

An IED was recovered and later defused by SFs at Kordoiguri in Dibrugarh District.

One militant belonging to the '109th battalion' of the ULFA, identified as Donjison Rabha, was arrested by the SFs in Krishnai area of Goalpara District.

The ULFA in its changed strategy has moved men from '109^th and 709^th battalions' to Upper Assam to carry out subversive activities around Republic Day.

A ULFA militant, who was also the most wanted bomber of the outfit, identified as Prithvi Raj Rabha, was arrested by SFs during a search operation in Goalpara District.

January 26

Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik on the occasion of Republic Day celebration appealed the insurgent groups to abjure violence and come to the negotiation table for settling all the issues raised by them, if their love for the State is genuine.

January 27

Two militants belonging to ‘28th battalion’ of the ULFA were arrested by the SFs at Dhodang Chapari area under Pulibar Police Station of Jorhat District .

January 28

Over 125 kilograms of Neogel-90 explosives were seized by a patrolling team of the CRPF and Assam Police personnel from a truck, enroute to Itanagar, at Khelmati outpost of Lakhimpur District.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reviewed the security scenario in the State in a high level meeting with the officials of the Assam Government. Discussion was centered on activities of the BW, National Socialist Council of Nagalim-IM (NSCN-IM), and a newly formed militant group United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA).

The managerial staffs of nearly six tea estates located in the fringe areas of Chariduar reserve forest in Sonitpur District were constantly harassed by militants of anti-talks faction of the NDFB.

A low-intensity explosion was triggered by suspected militants on the tracks between the tribal majority Sungajan area and Bokajan stations in Golaghat District, causing minor damage to a goods train.

January 29

ULFA 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa has said that a decision on a dialogue with the Government would be taken soon. Mrinal Hazarika, 'commander' of 28^th battalion' of the outfit said that both sides should not impose any precondition as it may create hurdles in holding dialogue. He also appealed to the Government to release the jailed central ULFA leaders to facilitate early talks.

The pro-talk faction of the NDFB announced it would participate in upcoming council elections in Assam.

January 31

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejected the demand for a separate Bodoland State. Instead he advocated the need for a greater Assamese society where people of all communities can live together.

February 1

One body guard of Ranjan Daimary, 'chairman' of anti-talks faction of the NDFB, identified as Prabin Boro alias B.Phandai was arrested by the Police from Fancy Bazar in Guwahati City.

A delegation of the pro-talks group of the NDFB met the Centre's interlocutor, P.C. Haldar, to press for an early solution to the decades-long impasse by creating a separate State for the indigenous tribal people of Assam.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that the Centre is ready for a dialogue with the pro-talks groups of both ULFA and the NDFB even without their top leaders Paresh Barua and Ranjan Daimary.

The ULFA said that it would discuss the offer made by Home Minister P. Chidambaram for peace talks with the jailed rebel leadership. Jailed ULFA 'vice-chairman' Pradeep Gogoi said that they had to discuss the matter and he, alone, couldn’t make any comment on the Home Minister's offer.