Ulfa leaks video of abducted Assam youth pleading for release
GUWAHATI: The banned United Liberation Front of Assam -Independent (Ulfa-I) on Monday released a video showing Kuldeep Moran — the son of Tinsukia district panchayat vice-president Ratneshwar Moran abducted by suspected Ulfa-I militants from Arunachal Pradesh on August 1 — appealing for his release.
“I have been abducted by Ulfa-I and they are taking me to different places blindfolded,” said the youth.
The video shows Kuldeep surrounded by five masked men carrying assault rifles and appears to have been shot inside a forest.
“I have become very weak and my health has also deteriorated. I am afraid I might die in cross-firing,” he said.
Abductions for ransom by militant groups in the northeast are common, but this is the first time Ulfa-I has released a video featuring an abducted person.
A day after his abduction, Kuldeep’s father had received a call from a person claiming to be from Ulfa-I. The caller had sought `1 crore to be arranged from BJP MLA Bolin Chetia from Sadiya in upper Assam for Kuldeep’s release. The rebel group had also emailed a statement to media houses seeking the ransom.
The rebels claimed that Kuldeep was indulging in extortion in the name of the Ulfa-I. “I request my parents, Bolin Chetia and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to get me released,” Kuldeep said in the video.
Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay told HT there was a delay in launching operations to rescue the youth as the incident happened in Arunachal Pradesh and came to light a few days later. “As per our reports, he is safe. We will ensure release of the youth,” said Sahay.