Bhimkanta Buragohain | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1931 |
| Died | 19 December 2011 |
| Other names | Mama, Sir |
Bhimkanta Buragohain (aliases Mama, Sir), also called the Father of ULFA, was the political advisor and ideologue of the revolutionary organisation ULFA in Assam. He was also one of the founder leaders of the organisation.
Arrest
He was arrested by the Bhutanese Royal Army during Operation All Clear in December 2003 and was handed over to the Indian Army in January 2004. He was released from jail after seven years on 5 December 2010.
Rumours of death
The ULFA claimed that Buragohain had been captured and killed during Operation All Clear by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) while he was leading a group of women and children who were attempting to surrender and waving a white flag. Arabinda Rajkhowa, the chairman of the outfit, also appealed to the Bhutan King to return the dead body to his family. It also called a 48-hour Assam Bandh on 20–21 December 2003. The RBA claimed that Buragohain was neither captured nor killed, whereas the Indian Army asserted that he had been killed.[1] The Guwahati High Court on 23 December 2003, directed the Army authority to hand over the body, if in possession, to the nearest police station so that his family could perform the last rites.[2]
On 26 December 2003, Lt. Gen. Mohinder Singh, General Officer Commanding 4 Corps, in Tezpur, disproving the rumours and claims made by ULFA and other organizations, produced Buragohain to the media.[1] On 27 December 2003,. He was accompanied by self-styled Major Robin Handique, SS Major Amarjit Gogoi and Bolin Das.[3] Buragohain was imprisoned in Tezpur Jail.[4] and then in Guwahati Central jail.[5]
Charges
Cases registered against Buragohain in various Police Stations of Assam are:[6]
| Police Stations | Charges |
|---|---|
| Tezpur police station | under Section 121, 121(A), 122 of the IPC, Arms Act, read with Sec 10/13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act |
| Dibrugarh PS | under Section 121, 121(A), 122 of the IPC |
| Special Operations unit of Assam Police (Special Branch) | under Sec 10/13 of the UA (P) Act, and at least one TADA case |
Death
He died of cardiac arrest at his own residence at Dhala Ahomgaon, Tinsukia district, Assam on 19 December 2011.[7]
See also
References
- 1 2 Das Gupta, Barun (27 December 2003). "Dead' ULFA leader produced". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 January 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ↑ PTI (23 December 2003). "Give bodies of ULFA members to family: HC". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ↑ Gupta Kashyap, Samudra (27 December 2003). "ULFA guru surrenders, preaches peace". Indiaexpress.com. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ↑ "Two more ULFA units may cease fire in Assam". Thaindia News. 30 August 2008. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ↑ "Who's afraid of the ULFA?". The Indian Express. 13 January 2007. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ↑ Correspondent (24 June 2006). "ULFA leaders and cases against them". The Shillong Times. Archived from the original on 14 November 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ↑ "ULFA adviser Bhim Kanta Burhagohain passes away". DY365. 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.