In a significant development, eight individuals have been apprehended in connection with the abduction of a businessman from Guwahati. The businessman was successfully rescued within hours of his disappearance on Sunday evening. This incident has prompted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to consider a ban on the Bir Lachit Sena, an organization reportedly linked to the suspects.
Sarma stated that if such incidents continue, the government will not hesitate to ban the organization.
The victim, identified as local businessman Rahul Mishra, was reportedly abducted from the vicinity of Pratiksha Hospital in Guwahati’s Borbari area on Sunday. Initial reports suggest that the abductors demanded a ransom of ₹15 to ₹20 lakh for his release.
Swift action by the Dispur Police Station led to the rescue of Mishra within hours, as the suspects were tracked down to Tribeni Path. The eight arrested individuals have been identified as Biswajit Doley, Injamul Huque, Rohan Ali, Mohan Borah, Nitu Asom, Chinmay Dev, Riyaj Ahmed, and Biraj Ballav Kalita.
However, the Bir Lachit Sena has refuted claims of any affiliation with the arrested individuals. The organization has accused the government of attempting to falsely implicate them to suppress their activities.
During the investigation, police reportedly discovered several items belonging to the outfit, including funding appeal letters, a fund collection receipt book, identity cards, the organization’s logo, baseball bats, a knife, pepper sprays, and multiple mobile phones. Police are currently investigating the potential links between the arrested suspects and the leadership of the Bir Lachit Sena.
Chief Minister Sarma expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Bir Lachit Sena’s actions, stating, “We are deeply dissatisfied with the activities of Bir Lachit Sena and are keeping a close watch. A time may come when we will have to ban the organisation, just like ULFA.” He further alleged that the organization has a history of extorting money from businessmen and fostering an environment of intimidation, which negatively impacts the state’s business climate.
Sarma issued a clear warning: “If they continue to extort and obstruct Assam’s economic progress, strict action will be taken.” He also took to social media platform X, stating, “Assam will not be held hostage by anyone acting outside the law. I have instructed the DGP, Assam Police, to clamp down firmly on the so-called Lachit Sena. Law and order will be upheld without compromise. I will review the situation personally with all SSPs of Assam Police at 7 PM today.”
In response, Bir Lachit Sena’s central chief secretary, Rantu Paniphukan, stated that one of the arrested suspects, Nitu Asom, was relieved of his responsibilities about a month prior. Paniphukan clarified that Asom was never an official member and that his photographs often appear with BJP leaders and ministers.
Addressing the Chief Minister’s warning, Paniphukan suggested it was an attempt to silence dissent, stating, “The people of Assam are demanding justice for Zubeen Garg, and the chief minister’s statements are nothing but an attempt to silence Bir Lachit Sena and other voices.”