Congress leader joins terror group, leaves child & wife: reports on Janardhan Gogoi joining Assam ULFA-I

In a concerning development in Assam, a leader of the Congress party is reported to have joined the banned terror group ULFA-I. 29-year-old Janardhan Gogoi is the vice-president of the Congress' youth wing at Sadiya in Upper Assam, according to reports.

Gogoi reportedly made the announcement of joining the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent via Facebook. The young politician, hailing from Tinsukia district, reportedly wrote on Facebook that he could not bear to see the Assamese community being "systematically destroyed". He reportedly said that Assamese people were "helpless in their own land" and he was "well-aware of the true character of political parties and organisations in Assam".

Police are investigating the claims, and have arrested a man who allegedly acted as a linkman. Gogoi's parents are teachers, and he is married with a young son, and the couple are expecting another child, as per an Indian Express report.

The ULFA-I is believed to be on a recruiting drive while observing a unilateral ceasefire, according to the Hindustan Times. Over 230 individuals are believed to have joined the Assamese separatist outfit this year, according to unofficial estimates reported by HT.

ULFA-I might be gathering recruits for a stronger hand during negotiations with the Union government, the report said. ULFA reportedly formed in the 1970s, and split in 2011 with Arabinda Rajkhowa leading a pro-talks, anti-violence faction, and Paresh Baruah continuing on the militancy path.