Tension has escalated in Chabua, Assam, following an incident where unidentified individuals reportedly fired two rounds of blank shots near the ancestral home of United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) chief Paresh Baruah. The shooting occurred in the early hours of Monday, around 12:30 AM, leading to community concern and police investigation.
Bimal Baruah, Paresh Baruah’s elder brother, confirmed the occurrence, noting that despite the gunfire, no CCTV footage has been able to capture the incident. He expressed worries that the event points to attempts to disturb the prevailing law and order in the area. “Unidentified persons fired two rounds of blank shots near the residence around 12:30 AM. No footage has been recorded. Police have visited the spot and started an investigation,” he remarked.
Police Response and Investigation
Law enforcement officials from Chabua Police Station responded promptly to the situation by arriving at the location and initiating an investigation. An official reported that they are currently gathering CCTV footage from surrounding areas but indicated that none has been obtained so far. The police emphasized that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for the gunfire.
Community residents have noted that similar incidents have occurred previously. “This is not the first time. These acts are meant to create panic and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the region,” expressed a local resident. This statement highlights concerns about ongoing security in Chabua amidst such disturbances.
Context of Recent Developments
Adding complexity to the situation, Arunodoi Dohotia, a former aide of Paresh Baruah, returned to his home in the same area just two days prior to the shooting. His return followed a period during which he reportedly left the ULFA-I camps in Myanmar after surrendering. This recent development may have contributed to the heightened tension in the community.
The ULFA-I, under the leadership of Paresh Baruah, continues to function as an insurgent group advocating for an independent Assam, which places them at the center of ongoing security concerns in the region. The combination of the shooting incident and the developments involving Dohotia suggests a complex landscape of challenges regarding law enforcement and public safety in Chabua.
