Kokrajhar, Aug. 2: In a double blow to the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit), security forces today arrested five cadres of the militant group from two different districts, Kokrajhar and Chirang, of the state.
Four militants were arrested from the Audang Bazaar area in Kokrajhar and another cadre was apprehended from Sijouguri, under Amguri police station, in Chirang in the wee hours today, BTAD additional director-general of police L.R. Bishnoi told reporters in Kokrajhar.
Bishnoi said police received a tip-off regarding the movement of militants and immediately a team, comprising personnel of Kokrajhar police and the army (3 Rajput Regiment), launched an operation and captured the four NDFB (S) cadres from the Audang Bazaar area.
The arrested rebels were identified as Monelal Brahma alias Naga, 35, Amit Khaklari alias Takla alias Lantha, 28, Sumbu Basumatary, 24, and Rajib Narzary alias Goldum, 27.
"They are locally-trained cadres and actively involved in extortion and in delivering rations to members of the outfit (at the Bidai camp)," Bishnoi said, adding that their arrest will hit the Bidai camp hard.
A 7.62mm pistol, a 7.65mm pistol, an AK-type gun, a .325 revolver, two live 7.62 pistol rounds, three .325 rounds, two 7.65mm rounds, two No. 36 hand grenades, three mobile handsets, one extortion note and Rs 500 cash were recovered from the quartet.
In Chirang district, NDFB (S) cadre Sanjib Narzary alias Sanjit, 39, was apprehended from the Sijouguri area under Amguri police station.
The police were tipped off in this case too and a joint search operation was launched by personnel of Chirang police and the army (7th Sikh LI Camp, Koilamoila) in the Amguri area.
Subsequently, Narzary was arrested. One 7.65mm pistol and four rounds of ammunition were seized from him.
A senior police officer in Chirang said Narzary was involved in the two gunfights between security forces and the rebel group on August 2014 in Laimoti and December 2014 in Selekhaguri. Both places are in Chirang.
"He had received a bullet injury in the exchange of fire in August 2014. After the launch of Operation All Out, he ran away to Bangalore in 2015 and returned only recently to strengthen the banned organisation," the officer said.
Bishnoi said they had received inputs from intelligence agencies that the NDFB (S) was planning subversive activities ahead of Independence Day.
"Strong security vigil in all the areas is going on to avoid any unwanted incident. Security has been beefed up in all the vital installations," he said.
He said security has been intensified in Kokrajhar and neighbouring areas, including the Indo-Bhutan border and inter-state border areas.
Since January 10, eight NDFB (S) rebels, one National Santhal Liberation Army cadre and one Kamtapur Liberation Organisation militant have been killed in encounters, Bishnoi said.
Sources said altogether 16 NDFB (S) cadres, 13 National Santhali Liberation Army militants, 14 KLO rebels, three Adivasi Dragon Fighters, one Santali Tiger Force rebel, three Muslim Tiger Force of Assam cadres, one National Liberation Front of Bengalis rebel, one ULFA cadre, two Rabha Viper Army rebels and four religious extremists have been arrested in Chirang since January, while 57 NDFB (S) linkmen and 13 sympathisers have been captured.
