DIBRUGARH: A former leader of the All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) Biju Gogoi, who joined Ulfa (Independent) during the 2020 Citizenship Amendment Act protests, was found dead with bullet injuries at an Ulfa (I) camp in Myanmar in February, claimed a cadre of the miltant outfit who was arrested by a joint team of Tinsukia police and Assam Rifles on Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old Ulfa (I) cadre, identified as Santosh Lama alias Apu Asom, 24, was arrested near Biri Basti under Jagun police outpost in Tinsukia district.
Lama said he saw the lifeless body of Biju Gogoi lying in a pool of blood with bullet injuries at the Ulfa (I) camp. The former Aasu leader, who was the joint secretary of the organisation's Pengeri unit in Tinsukia district, had left home on January 3, 2020. Police later confirmed that he had joined the Ulfa (I) ranks in Myanmar. According to Lama, Biju Gogoi was killed by Ulfa (I) cadres while trying to flee the camp.
Hours after the Ulfa (I) cadre's sensational relevation, Ulfa (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah in a telephonic interview with a local TV channel said Biju Gogoi was not killed by the miltant outfit but rather he committed suicide for reasons unknown on February 20. He also left a suicide note which Ulfa (I) said would be sent to Gogoi's family members if they desired. The Ulfa (I) chief said it was the outfit's rule to inform the family of any member who died of illness or natural causes, but in case of death by suicide, they are not informed.
