Assam: 11 Veer Lachit Sena members arrested in 'crackdown'

Guwahati: The Assam Crime Investigation Department (CID) has unleashed a major offensive against the Veer Lachit Sena, registering a fresh case and arresting at least 11 members in synchronised raids across multiple districts.

The crackdown began Thursday with CID Case No. 20/25 lodged at the CID Police Station, prompting authorities to revive and centralise all prior FIRs filed against the outfit in various police stations statewide.

Acting on the consolidated probe, multi-district teams swiftly detained the suspects, who are now being transported to CID headquarters in Guwahati for intensive questioning. Officials indicate additional interrogations are imminent as the investigation intensifies.

It may be mentioned that the organisation had been quite vocal regarding the probe into the death of Assam's heartthrob, Zubeen Garg. Most of these members had also threatened to launch a series of agitations if they saw any sort of lapses in the investigation.

However, days later, they were accused of being involved in several extortion-related cases as well as one alleged abduction case.

Some of their prominent leaders, including Bikash Asom, were accused of being the prime accused in such cases. While many leaders were arrested in October, Bikash surrendered last week before the Dispur Police, stating that he wanted to aid the investigation, denying involvement in any sort of extortion-related activities.