In Remembrance of 'Anti-Insurgent' Cop Khagen Sharma

Guwahati, October 26, 2019:

Assam on Saturday bid adieu to one of its bravest sons, former Director General of Police, Khagen Sharma, who passed away yesterday and left everyone in shock and grief.

The hard-nosed 'top cop', known for his no-nonsense attitude against insurgency in Assam, who brought dreaded insurgent leaders in ULFA, and two factions of the NDFB (NDFB-P and the Ranjan-Daimary led faction) to the negotiating table, is no more.

ALSO READ: NSCN (IM) Kilonser Hukavi Yepthomi Joins NNPG WC

Sharma was an advocate of strength and discipline, and during his tenure as the head honcho of the special branch (SB) of Assam police, orchestrated the downfall of ULFA. During his tenure as a sub-divisional officer in Margherita, he was able to curb ULFA activities in the island.

A 1982 IPS Officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Khagen Sharma originally hails from Nalbari district in Lower Assam.

ALSO READ: Assam Congress Lodges FIR against BJP MLA’s Media Cell Advisor

Mourning his passing away, fellow 'top cop' and Additional DGP Pallab Bhattacharya reminisces that Sharma's no-nonsense attitude led to the downfall of insurgency in Assam. "Sharma brought insurgency in Assam under control. Apart from the ULFA, the NDFB too had been gaining prominence in the 1990's, but Sharma, through his astuteness and hardline stance against terror, was able to curb both insurgent groups and bring them to the negotiating table."

Today, the Assam police personnel paid their last respects to the departed soul at the Assam Police's Special Branch headquarters in Kahilipara, and then at the DGP office. He was finally interred at the Navagraha crematorium, and the tears flowed freely, as people remembered this brave son of Assam.

Khagen Sharma's crucial role in curbing terror in the State of Assam will be remembered for many many years to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.