ULFA chairman Rajkhowa sent to 9-day cop custody

GUWAHATI

The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, self-styled deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah and bodyguard of Rajkhowa, Raja Baruah has been sent to nine days of police custody Thursday for their connection related to explosion in Paltan Bazar, Bharalumukh, and Bhangagarh police stations areas here.

The trio was produced amidst unprecedented security cover away from media glare in a special camp court inside the Guwahati central jail. Chief Judicial Magistrate Rabin Phukan sent them to nine days police custody instead of 14 days custody asked by the Assam Police.

“The investigating authorities had sought 12-day police remand, but the court granted them nine days police custody,” said Bijon Mahajan, legal counsel of Rajkhowa and Baruah.

Earlier in the day, Rajkhowa’s brother Rajkonwar met him inside the jail premises. Later on interacting with media, he said the ULFA was ready for peace talks with the government. He, however, said that not any forward movement in the peace talks took place during the last 12 days of police remand.

On Dec 5, Rajkhowa, Raju and Raja Baruah, and wife of ULFA foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury surrendered before Indian authorities at Dawki in Meghalaya. Later they, except Sasha, were arrested and sent to 12-day police custody.

Earlier on Nov 30, Bangladesh Police arrested Rajkhowa somewhere near Dhaka and handed over to the Indian authorities.

A look on Arabinda Rajkhowa:

Born to freedom fighter Umakanta Rajkonwar and Damayanti Rajkonwar, Arabinda Rajkhowa alias Mijanur Rahman Choudhury is the chairman and co-founder of the outlawed outfit ULFA.

By profession a school teacher Rajkhowa was also the vice-president of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front and a leader of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) before he founded ULFA.