In a significant operational triumph, the Tripura Police achieved a major breakthrough by apprehending two high-ranking militants associated with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT). The arrested individuals have been identified as Sachin Debbarma and Utpal Debbarma alias Omthai. The meticulously executed operation took place on Thursday night in the Sidhai area, and its success is attributed to actionable intelligence provided by the Special Branch.
Sachin Debbarma, holding the position of self-styled Army Chief, and Utpal Debbarma, serving as the self-styled Secretary General of the NLFT, were pivotal figures within the insurgent group. The NLFT, which was once a formidable force, is currently characterized as truncated and virtually defunct. The apprehension of these top leaders is being hailed as a landmark development, poised to deliver a decisive blow to the remnants of the erstwhile menacing NLFT.
Notably, Utpal Debbarma’s previous interactions with authorities add an intriguing dimension to the arrest. Initially an engineer, he had, in previous years, been in regular contact with the Intelligence Bureau (IB), expressing intentions to surrender. In pursuit of this objective, a group led by Utpal had even visited Delhi, although New Delhi did not accord significant importance to their overtures at that time. Despite an earlier arrest in Mizoram, Utpal managed to elude authorities, making his recent capture all the more significant.
The successful operation forms part of a broader and sustained effort by law enforcement agencies, as highlighted by DIG Intelligence Krishnendu Chakravertty. According to him, including the recent arrests of Sachin and Utpal, a total of 24 NLFT/BM leaders and cadres have either been arrested or compelled to surrender over the past year and a half. This persistent campaign against the insurgent group aims to neutralize its leadership and thwart any potential attempts at revival.
