From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: The political adviser of the outlawed ULFA and a key leader of the pro-talks faction of the outfit, Bishnujyoti Buragohain alias Bhimakanta Buragohain who was popularly called ‘Mama’ (maternal uncle) by all the ULFA members , died of a cardiac arrest at his residence at Ahom Gaon (Dhola) in Tinsukia district of Eastern Assam on Monday evening.
He reportedly suffered a heart attack and died almost immediately. He was 80. He was among the founder-members of the ULFA, when the group was floated on April 7, 1979, at Rang Ghar in Sivasagar district. The ULFA leader played a key role in facilitating dialogue with the government of India and the ULFA faction led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa.
Assam CM Tarun Gogoi while condoling the death of the ULFA leader said the political adviser of the outfit would be remembered for the positive role he had played in initiative the current peace process.
A bachelor, the ULFA leader was the in-charge of ULFA’s general headquarters in Bhutan when Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) steamrolled the ULFA base in December, 2003. He was arrested immediately after the Operation All Clear carried out by the RBA and handed over to Indian Army. Since the he had been in jail for years till his release on bail earlier this year to facilitate his participation in the peace process.
The pro-talks ULFA leaders has deeply condoled the death of their senior leader. A leader of the ULFA faction, Sashadhar Choudhury said Mama was a guiding beacon for the outfit and had stirred the outfit’s cadres through tough times.
The hardliner faction of the ULFA has also condoled the death of Buragohain in an emailed statement. ‘Acting chairman’ Dr Abhijeet Bormon and military chief Paresh Barua, terming Mama’s death an irreparable loss to Assam, said a three-day mourning will be observed at all ULFA camps, during which the outfit’s flag will be flown at half-mast.