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# Business

Key ULFA-I operative involved in I-Day IED explosion in Guwahati held

The operation follows the recovery of 11 IEDs from various locations across the state on August 15, a day after ULFA-I released a statement detailing the sites where the explosives were planted.

SNS | GUWAHATI | December 17, 2024 2:10 pm

Key ULFA-I operative involved in I-Day IED explosion in Guwahati held

Photo: IANS

The National Investigation Agency , working in conjunction with the Assam Police, has arrested a significant operative of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) for his alleged role in planting four improvised explosive devices here during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

The operation follows the recovery of 11 IEDs from various locations across the state on August 15, a day after ULFA-I released a statement detailing the sites where the explosives were planted.

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Four of the devices were found in Pan Bazar, Dispur, Gandhi Mandap, and Satgaon areas of Guwahati.

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According to the NIA which released a statement on Tuesday, on Monday, the NIA, in collaboration with the Assam Police, conducted a search at the residence of Jahnu Baruah alias Arnab Asom in Dibrugarh.

The search, based on specific intelligence, led to the recovery of several incriminating materials, including digital devices.

Baruah was subsequently taken into custody and summoned for further examination by the local police. During questioning, Baruah reportedly confessed to his involvement in the IED planting.

Baruah had been under surveillance for weeks as he was identified as a key suspect in the case, based on technical and human intelligence.

He is accused of collecting, transporting, and planting the IEDs in Guwahati. According to the NIA, the devices were placed at the behest of senior ULFA-I cadre Abhijit Gogoi alias Aishang Asom.

Following the case’s transfer to the NIA on September 17, further investigations are underway to gather more details and evidence related to the conspiracy.

ULFA-I sent emails to several media outlets on Independence day, detailing the locations of 19 explosive devices and mentioning technical faults that would prevent them from detonating.

Despite this reassurance, police and security personnel were deployed to conduct thorough searches across the state. Bomb squads were activated to locate and deactivate the devices to avoid any potential harm.

Over two days, 11 IED-like objects were found at various locations, including four in Guwahati. Fortunately, none of the devices detonated, and no injuries were reported.

Following these recoveries, Assam Police established several special investigation teams (SITs) and offered a reward of Rs 5 lakh for credible information that could lead to the arrest of those involved in making, transporting, and planting these devices.

Two separate cases involving the recovery of similar devices in Guwahati and Lakhimpur were later handed over to the NIA for further investigation.

On September 21, the Assam Police and NIA arrested 15 individuals, including three women, suspected to be linked to the IED planting incidents.

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# India

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice P V Balakrishnan suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail to him after considering his appeal against the NIA court’s conviction in the case Considering the prolonged detention and citing the potential for trial delays, the court suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail, taking into account that some co-accused with similar allegations had already been released after serving shorter terms. The court noted that he had already spent nine years in jail and that delays in resolving appeals could justify suspending a convict’s prison term. It also observed that other accused in the case had received lesser sentences and had already been released after serving their terms. “The applicant has been undergoing incarceration, at the pre-conviction and post-conviction phases, for over 9 years. Furthermore, the fact that the accused facing the same allegations were earlier imposed a lesser term of imprisonment and have been released after having undergone the sentence is a factor that cannot be ignored. Additionally, the appeals filed by the NIA against the findings of the learned Sessions Judge are being considered in separate appeals, which have not yet been taken up. “There is also the likelihood of delay, as the prime accused has surrendered, and the learned Sessions Judge may have to take up the trial and dispose of it in accordance with the law and some of the original records may be required for that purpose. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the sentence imposed on the applicant can be suspended pending the consideration of the appeal.” The court said The court, however, imposed strict conditions for Nasar’s bail. He is not supposed to provide a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s permission, avoid interfering with the trial or witnesses, and not commit similar offences while on bail The gruesome incident dates back to July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, was returning from Sunday mass with his family, members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) attacked him, allegedly in retaliation for a question paper he set, which contained a passage that they claimed insulted Prophet Mohammed was derogatory. His right hand was chopped off in this attack. Nasar was accused of playing a critical role in the attack. Investigations revealed his involvement in recruiting gang members, assigning specific tasks, collecting funds, procuring communication devices, and maintaining communication links with key conspirators.

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010.