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Guwahati: In a major setback for the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA (Independent), one of its senior-most leaders, Arunodoi Dohutia, also known as Bijit Gogoi, surrendered before the Assam Rifles near the Myanmar border on Sunday.
Dohutia, who held the rank of self-styled Major General, is one of the last remaining extremists from the Northeast who was trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan nearly five decades ago. He has long been a close associate of ULFA(I) chief Paresh Baruah.
Surrender at Pangsau Pass
Officials said Dohutia and his personal security officer Francis Axom surrendered at Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh. Both are expected to be brought to Guwahati for further questioning.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the surrender and rejected speculation that Dohutia would be taken to New Delhi as part of the ongoing peace efforts.
“What I know is they are not going to Delhi. They will stay in Tinsukia and may come to Guwahati to meet the DGP. The Assam government has no plans to take them to Delhi,”
the Chief Minister told reporters.
He said any future talks with ULFA would only be held with Paresh Baruah, adding that there is no point in talking to anyone else. Sarma also noted that Baruah is still not ready for discussions under the Government of India’s terms.
Dohutia’s surrender comes at a time when security forces have intensified operations along the Myanmar border, especially in sensitive areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
ULFA(I) and other northeast extremist groups operate from camps of the NSCN-K (Yung Aung) in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division.
These camps were reportedly hit twice this year in drone attacks, which killed several members of ULFA(I) and allied groups. ULFA(I) blamed Indian agencies for the strikes.
Dohutia was wanted for multiple attacks, including strikes on Army camps in eastern Assam in 2023 and 2024. Apart from planning operations, he also handled ULFA(I)’s communication network.
