Maoist Link: NIA conducts search operation in Barak Valley; arrests Cachar resident "Saraswati" from Dibrugarh

The National Investigation Agency of India (NIA) has been actively carrying out its search operations in several districts of Assam. On April 3, 2022, the officers of the agency searched zones in Karimganj and Cachar along with Dibrugarh and Dhubri. A total of 17 locations have been searched in order to trace “absconding Maoists”.

Issuing a press statement, the agency informed, “NIA Conducts Searches at Multiple Locations Across Assam and arrests one absconding Maoist cadre in Maoist Case of Cachar District, Assam (RC-01/2022/NIA/GUW). NIA conducted searches at 17 locations in Assam in Cachar, Karimganj, Dibrugarh and Dhubri districts RC-01/2022/NIA/GUW.”

The press statement adds, “One absconding accused Reema Orang also known as Saraswati, daughter of Sonichara and resident Mahaltal village under Joypur Police Station of District Cachar has also been arrested from Dibrugarh district.”

The NIA informed that this case relates to the arrest of Maoist leader Arun Kumar Bhattacharjee also known as “Kanchan Da”, a member of the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist) along with his associate Akash Orang also known as Kajal, a member of Assam State Organizing Committee of CPI (Maoist) from Patimara Tea Garden under Udarband PS of Cachar district on 6.3.2022. According to the NIA, these accused persons along with their associates were involved in spreading the network of CPI (Maoist) in Assam and North-East region of the country. The case was initially registered as FIR No. 02/2022 at Crime Branch Police Station, Panbazar, Guwahati, district Kamrup (Metro), Assam and re-registered by NIA on 16.03.2022.

In the press statement, NIA adds, “During searches conducted today, digital devices and incriminating documents of CPI Maoist party have been recovered and seized. Further investigation in the case is continuing.” The press statement does not mention about any arrests from Cachar or Karimganj.