NLFB extremist M Batha added to NIA's 'most wanted' list

GUWAHATI: National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NLFB) extremist M Batha, the insurgent leader who returned to the jungles after the elections in the Bodo Council, has been designated as a. Now, M Batha carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.

M Batha had surrendered along with several other cadres during the signing of the third Bodo Peace Accord in January 2020 but later returned to the forest to set up the NLFB.

The NLFB, which is presumed to be led by M Batha, emerged before the Bodo Council polls and urged the people to send the BJP, which it termed as a “big threat”, packing from the state.

“Today the unwilling motive of Indian government and the Assam government to solve the issue has compelled us to take a new decision to struggle and fight for our rights. So today (12/10/2020) we have formed a new arms revolutionary group with nomenclature and style “National Liberation Front of Boroland” (NLFB),” the outfit said in a statement emailed to media. It has also promised to re-launch a movement for a separate state Bodoland.

ALSO READ: Batha returned to jungles with 30 men & sophisticated weapons, confirms Assam Police

Earlier, Batha was a member of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Batha joined the rebel outfit in 1996 and underwent training in Bhutan. He later rose to the deputy position of the M Batha was known as the bomb expert for his exceptional bomb making and planting skills.

According to Special DGP (TAP) and in-charge ADGP of BTR LR Bishnoi, M Batha returned to jungles along with 30 of his trusted aides, and they are all in possession of “sophisticated” weaponry.

It needs mention here that at least 1,600 rebels belonging to four factions of the NDFB — headed by B Saoraigwra, Govinda Basumatary, Ranjan Daimary, and Dhirendra Boro — laid down arms days after the Bodo accord was signed between Bodo groups and the Centre in January of 2020.

Many of the former insurgents have gone to cement their place in the BTAD's politics. The Assam government this year has announced a special rehabilitation package for the surrendered cadres in the annual fiscal budget.

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