NIA Chargesheets ULFA (I) Chief Paresh Baruah for 2023 Assam IED Blast Conspiracy

14 June, 2025

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted Myanmar-based ULFA (I) chief Paresh Baruah and two associates, Abhijit Gogoi and Jahnu Boruah, for their involvement in a conspiracy to carry out multiple IED blasts in Assam. The blasts were planned to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in 2023, aiming to cause casualties, destroy property, and threaten India's sovereignty. The charges include sections under BNS, UAPA, and Explosive Substances Act.

Unpacked:

Who is Paresh Baruah and what is ULFA (I)?

Paresh Baruah is the chairman and self-styled Commander-in-Chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), a proscribed terrorist group. ULFA (I) is an insurgent faction seeking Assam's independence from India and has been involved in violent activities, including bombings, to achieve its goals.

What laws were the accused charged under, and what do they cover?

The accused were charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Explosive Substances Act. These laws address criminal offenses, terrorist activities, and crimes involving explosives, respectively, aiming to prevent acts that threaten public safety and national security.

What was the intended impact of the planned blasts in Assam?

The planned IED blasts were intended to cause death or injury, destroy property, and threaten the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India. The aim was to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in 2023 and spread terror among the people of Assam.

Has ULFA (I) claimed responsibility for similar attacks before?

Yes, ULFA (I), particularly its anti-talk faction, has claimed responsibility for previous IED attacks, such as the blast in Guwahati’s Lalmati area in January 2025. The group often states that its actions are protests against national celebrations like Republic Day and Independence Day, asserting a demand for Assam’s independence.