Ulfa rebel who killed Tinsukia trader arrested

Guwahati: Ulfa (Independent) militant John Asom, the prime accused in the murder of Hindi-speaking trader Nandlal Shah, was arrested in Tarani reserve forest of Tinsukia district on Thursday night.
John, alias Muhidhar Moran alias Ravan, had also killed Shah’s daughter on July 14 at Pengeri in the district.
A joint operation was conducted by the SSB, CRPF and Army at the Tarani Reserve forest and adjoining Dibrujan areas under Pengeri police station.
“An AK-81 Rifle, three magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a Chinese grenade, combat ammunition post, a kit bag containing an Army combat dress and two mobile phones were found on him,” said SP (Tinsukia) Mugdhajyoti Mahanta.
Two other Ulfa(I) militants — Rupom Asom and Udai Asom — managed to escape taking advantage of the dense forest cover.
Police sources said the arrested militant had confessed before police that he was involved in the shootout at Pengeri.
“Ulfa(I)’s senior leader and self-styled lieutenant Ganesh Lahon, who is believed to be out of the country, had instructed John and three others to shoot Shah if he failed to pay the extortion amount,” a police official said.
Tinsukia Police have recorded three cases in which extortion notices were served on traders in the name of Ulfa(I). Of them, two were false.
Following John’s arrest, Ulfa (I) publicity secretary Arunodoi Asom claimed the nabbed cadre was not in touch with the outfit for a long time and blamed police for orchestrating his arrest.