Dibrugarh, Sept. 10: Ratneswar Moran, father of Kuldeep Moran who was set free from Ulfa (I) captivity after 39 days yesterday, said the outfit released his son only after it was convinced that he was not an informer for security forces involved in counter-insurgency operations.
Thanking everyone who supported them in their hour of crisis, Ratneswar told The Telegraph today that Ulfa (I) had mistakenly abducted his son on the basis of "wrong" feedback about him spying for security forces. "And when it was convinced he was not an informer, it decided to let him go," Ratneswar, a local BJP leader, said.
Reacting to Kuldeep's abduction from Nampong circle in Changlang district, Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Barua had said Kuldeep was abducted on August 1 for spying on the outfit at the behest of security forces. Ratneswar said some low-ranked Ulfa (I) cadre misinformed his higher-ups about Kuldeep being an informer.
"Now it has been proved (that my son is not a spy) and he was released. Some 10 days ago Paresh Barua, Ulfa (I) commander-in-chief, called me through a satellite phone and told me he will be released soon. Barua also apologised for kidnapping Kuldeep thinking he was a spy,'' the BJP leader said.
Ratneswar is the vice-chairman of the Tinsukia zilla parishad in Assam and a close aide of BJP legislator from Sadiya, Bolin Chetia.
Changlang police sources today said a team of Arunachal police and Kuldeep's father found him at a hillock near Lumbi Basti in Changlang district, along the India-Myanmar border, at 2.40pm yesterday.
Kuldeep, a resident of Hahkhati village in Kakopathar of Assam's Tinsukia district, was abducted from Nampong in Changlang district. Nampong is 110km from Tinsukia town.
Rumours were doing the rounds that Kuldeep's family had paid Rs 25 lakh to the outfit for his release but this could not be confirmed.
Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay said the Arunachal police were investigating the case. "Our first priority was to secure his safe release, which has been achieved. Other related issues are being probed," Sahay told The Telegraph, when asked if money had changed hands to secure his safe release.
Ratneswar had received a call on August 7 from a person who identified himself as an Ulfa (I) member and demanded Rs 1 crore for Kuldeep's release. The abductors also spoke to MLA Chetia on Ratneswar's phone and asked him to arrange the money if they wanted to see Kuldeep alive. However, Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Barua denied demanding ransom, adding that the youth had been abducted for spying on the outfit.
Talking to The Telegraph over phone, Kuldeep said he has "got a new life".
"I cannot explain my feelings. Those 39 days in Ulfa (I) captivity was hell. I met a person, who introduced himself as Arunoday Dohotia, Ulfa (I) publicity secretary. Though there was scarcity, they provided me with food all these days,'' he said.
Kuldeep said, "On August 1, I had gone on a business-related trip 10km interior of Lumbi Basti. Suddenly a man came towards me and told me someone was asking for me. I went to meet that person and some unidentified persons forcibly kidnapped me and later I came to know they were Ulfa (I) cadres."
"During captivity they asked me why I came to Arunachal Pradesh for business. I told them that I am not a spy. I am a simple man and I have no connection with the army or any spy agency. I am innocent and have nothing to do with them. I repeatedly tried to prove my innocence in front of them but no one was there to hear me,'' Kuldeep said.
He added that he was forced to do the video where he was shown pleading for his life. He said: "I don't know why they branded me a spy and abducted me. It is not clear to me. Had I been a spy they would have killed me."
Ratneswar said they were happy that Ulfa (I) has returned their son and thanked everyone for their support. "We spent sleepless nights for the past 39 days. I am happy my son is back,'' said Nirupama, Kuldeep's mother.
