Back-to-Back Arrests—Is Veer Lachit Sena Facing Its Toughest Phase Yet?

In a fresh development, Veer Lachit Sena leader Rantu Paniphukan has been arrested by Tezpur Sadar Police in connection with an extortion case, adding to a series of recent actions against members of the organisation.

Police picked up Paniphukan from Guwahati on Friday and brought him to Tezpur for interrogation. According to officials, an extortion case registered as 714/2025 has been filed against him under Sections 61(2)/308(5)/351(3)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said the investigation is at an active stage.

This arrest comes shortly after another senior figure, expelled Veer Lachit Sena leader Bikash Axom, was taken into custody in a separate case. Last Thursday, Dispur Police had rearrested Axom and secured three-day police custody in connection with a second extortion- and kidnapping-related case.

Before the latest arrest, Axom had already been in judicial custody, from where the CID showed him arrested in another case involving nine associates. All ten accused were sent to five days of CID custody, which concluded on Wednesday, after which they were again remanded to judicial custody.

Despite this, Dispur Police sought his custody once more in a newly registered case, numbered 883/2025, under Sections 308(2)/3038(5)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police also moved the court seeking permission to show him arrested in the new case while he remains in judicial custody.

Police sources said both investigations are progressing, and further action has not been ruled out.

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