India: Assam police offer $6,000 reward after ULFA(I) admits to placing ‘IED-like devices’ across state

Just days after the banned group, United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA(I)), claimed responsibility for placing bombs at 24 different locations in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Independence Day, the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), G P Singh, announced a ₹5 lakh ($6,000) reward for any information that could help identify those responsible for making, transporting, and placing the explosives.

DGP Singh said, “We are offering a cash reward of up to ₹5 lakhs ($6,000) for any credible information regarding those who made, transported, and planted these IED-like devices.”

ULFA (I) stated that the explosions were planned for Thursday (August 15) between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm (local time), but due to a “technical failure,” the bombs did not detonate. The group has now requested public assistance in safely defusing the explosives.

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On Friday (August 16), authorities discovered two more ‘IED-like devices’ in Guwahati, bringing the total number of ‘bomb-like substances’ seized across the state in the past 24 hours to 10, according to officials.

A minor from Lakhimpur was taken into custody for questioning. Authorities carried out searches in various locations to find explosives, including the Panitola residence in the Tinsukia district, belonging to Anup Chetia, a former self-proclaimed general secretary of the group who signed a peace agreement with the government last year, according to officials.

“We held discussions with our officers of Guwahati city, Special Branch, CID and others. Discussions were on the line of investigation to be followed, a plan of action was prepared and which agencies would help in which way and responsibilities entrusted,” DGP Singh said.

“We are 100 per cent sure that the case will be cracked. We want to assure the public that no one will be allowed to disrupt peace,” he added.

He said that four cases have been filed in Guwahati, with investigators working alongside a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the guidance of the city police commissioner.

In addition to Guwahati, the districts where the group claimed to have placed bombs include Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Tamulpur, Tinsukia, and Golaghat.

In Guwahati, four “IED-like devices” were found, while two were recovered in both Sivasagar and Lakhimpur, and one each in Nagaon and Nalbari.

(With inputs from agencies)

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