Army, police launch joint search operation to rescue Assam tea executive suspected to be abducted by ULFA (I)

Gauranga Deb, who worked as a head fitter in Sankar Tea Estate in Talap area in Tinsukia district, around 35 km from the district headquarters, was abducted by a group of four youths.

Updated on: Oct 12, 2019, 17:51:01 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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The Army and police have launched a joint search operation to rescue a tea garden executive abducted from Tinsukia district in upper Assam by suspected United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) rebels on Friday evening.

Gauranga Deb, who worked as a head fitter in Sankar Tea Estate in Talap area in Tinsukia district, around 35 km from the district headquarters, was abducted by a group of four youths.

While no ransom call has been received yet, police suspect the abduction is likely to be the handiwork of ULFA (I), the banned anti-talks factions of the rebel outfit which has strong presence in the area.

“We are carrying out massive search operations along with the Army all over Tinsukia and neighbouring areas of Arunachal Pradesh in a bid to rescue the executive,” informed Tinsukia superintendent of police Shiladitya Chetia.

Eyewitnesses told police that four youths wearing what appeared to be a uniform similar to those worn by security forces arrived at the tea estate on Friday evening and abducted Deb.

“CCTV camera footing of the spot shows the youths were carrying assault rifles. Our main focus now is to secure the release of the executive. Hopefully, we will get some positive news soon,” said Chetia.

Upset by the abduction, workers of Sankar Tea Estate gathered at the garden early on Saturday demanding improved security measures and early and safe release of the abducted executive.

While abductions of tea executives for ransom by ULFA were very common in the early 1990s, they are very rare these days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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