ULFA Suspicion Lands Youth in Jail, Alleges Mental, Physical Torture

Ashim Adhikari, a youth from Assam, has come forward with serious allegations of police harassment, claiming he was wrongfully arrested and brutally treated by Panbazar police under false suspicion of being associated with the banned outfit ULFA (Independent).

According to Ashim, he was arrested on September 15, 2024, along with another youth, James Rongpik, following suspicions related to ULFA-planned bomb placements across the state on August 15. Despite no concrete evidence linking him to the banned group, Ashim was detained and spent nearly three months in judicial custody before being released.

Speaking to the media after his release, Ashim alleged that the police not only arrested him without proof but also subjected him to inhumane treatment in custody.

“I was kept in the police station without being given food or water for long hours. During my time in lock-up, I was repeatedly harassed, both mentally and physically. The torture was so unbearable at times that I contemplated suicide,” Ashim said.

The youth has now made a direct appeal to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking a fair and transparent investigation into his arrest and the alleged custodial abuse he faced.

Ashim’s claims have once again brought to light the delicate balance between counter-terrorism efforts and civil liberties. His ordeal raises urgent questions about police accountability, misuse of power, and the treatment of individuals detained on mere suspicion, particularly in cases involving national security.

As the crackdown on ULFA (I) continues, calls are growing louder for the state to ensure that innocent citizens are not wrongfully targeted or tortured in the name of anti-insurgency operations.

Also Read: NIA Chargesheets ULFA(I) Chief Paresh Baruah, 2 Others in IED Plot