Q Did you ever think you would surrender?
I have not left ULFA(I). I still belong to the organisation, but I have surrendered. I had never thought I would be disloyal to my organisation and quit the revolution midway to return to normal life. The circumstances left me with no choice.
I was hiding in no man’s land between India and Bangladesh—neighbouring Meghalaya—after eight years of struggle to survive the tough operations of the Indian Army, Special Force 10 in Meghalaya (elite force created during the height of insurgency), and other agencies, and on the other side by Bangladesh special forces and border guards. I had several close shaves with security forces between 2011 and 2016, but I managed to escape.
One night, I was in one of the ULFA hideouts near the border pillar in no man’s land (from where they used to infiltrate into India). I had not eaten for seven days and we got information that we had been spotted. For three days, the forces had tracked us intensively. Soon, we got information that many vehicles were coming as some senior Army commander was visiting. But I realised the deployment was for us. There were two choppers and around 15 vehicles; we were surrounded. I even thought of committing suicide as I felt the torture I might face was not worth it. But then I was told I could surrender.
Q What about your wife and children?
Denne historien er fra February 05, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra February 05, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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TAKING WINGS AGAIN
Telangana plans to redevelop Warangal's Mamnoor airport, built by the Nizam and destroyed by the Indian Air Force during Hyderabad's annexation in 1948
Identity tracking
Without reading like a tutorial, The Tamils gives a comprehensive account of the community's history and culture
THE ART OF WINNING
The real drama of the Oscar race happens before the envelope opens
Kala cotton is pure magic
One of the greatest things about being a fashion journalist in India is that you are never just one thing. Your stories can take you to glamorous fashion weeks across the world, and they can also take you to the remotest parts of India, allowing you to tell stories of people whose voices have been quietened. Like the farmers of the indigenous kala cotton plant.
Revival mode
Jitendra Patwari has set off a generational shift in Madhya Pradesh Congress
No freedom in appeasement
Fearsome gods and kings are appeased, not opposed. Through history, this ingrained placatory habit is ordained by all religions and cultures.
NIA WILL TRY RANA FOR CHARGES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DISCLOSED
A high-profile lawyer, Ujjwal Nikam has argued crucial cases for the government. He was special public prosecutor in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case and the 26/11 attacks case. His arguments led to the conviction of terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who was executed in 2012.
Men, too, have glass ceilings
The more I read about rape, suicide, family troubles, unemployment, toxic masculinity, excessive religiosity and hysterical jingoism, the more I feel we have got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
Jumbo love
Laxmi, once forced to beg on Mumbai streets, found home and freedom at the Wildlife SOS - Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura
THE DEVIL AND THE DETAILS
The extradition of Tahawwur Rana, whom US President Donald Trump called a \"very violent man\", could tie loose ends related to 26/11 and lead to the uncovering of valuable intelligence on attacks planned on India thereafter
