In a major law-and-order incident in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a stern warning to the regional outfit Bir Lachit Sena, following the abduction of a businessman in Guwahati on Sunday. Sarma threatened that the government could consider banning the organisation if such unlawful activities continue, citing concerns over extortion, intimidation, and disruption to Assam’s business environment.

The incident unfolded when Rahul Mishra, a local businessman, was abducted from outside Pratiksha Hospital in Borbari, Guwahati. The kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom of ₹15–20 lakh for Mishra’s release. Demonstrating swift action, a team from Dispur Police Station tracked the suspects to Tribeni Path within hours and successfully rescued Mishra. The eight individuals arrested in connection with the case are Biswajit Doley, Injamul Huque, Rohan Ali, Mohan Borah, Nitu Asom, Chinmay Dev, Riyaj Ahmed, and Biraj Ballav Kalita.

Following the arrests, police recovered several items during the probe that linked the suspects to the Bir Lachit Sena, including five funding appeal letters, a receipt book for fund collection, multiple identity cards, the organisation’s logo, baseball bats, a knife, pepper sprays, and several mobile phones. Investigators are reportedly examining whether there is a connection between the suspects and the outfit’s leadership.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep concern over the activities of the group, highlighting that it had repeatedly been accused of extorting money from businessmen and creating a climate of fear in the state. Speaking about the possibility of further action, he said,

“We are deeply dissatisfied with the activities of Bir Lachit Sena and are keeping a close watch. A time may come when we will have to ban the organisation, just like ULFA. If they continue to extort and obstruct Assam’s economic progress, strict action will be taken.”

Sarma reinforced his stance on social media, posting on X that:

“Assam will not be held hostage by anyone acting outside the law. I have instructed the DGP, Assam Police, to clamp down firmly on the so-called Lachit Sena. Law and order will be upheld without compromise. I will review the situation personally with all SSPs of Assam Police at 7 PM today.”

Despite the chief minister’s warnings, Bir Lachit Sena has denied that the arrested individuals were members of the organisation. The group’s central chief secretary, Rantu Paniphukan, claimed that one of the suspects, Nitu Asom, had been relieved of all responsibilities nearly a month ago and was never officially associated with the outfit. Paniphukan emphasised that Asom’s photographs were only seen in the company of BJP leaders and ministers, suggesting no formal link to Bir Lachit Sena.

In response to Sarma’s threat of a ban, Paniphukan accused the government of attempting to suppress the organisation and other voices in Assam, stating that the chief minister’s remarks were unrelated to the abduction incident and were instead aimed at intimidating the outfit. He said:

“The people of Assam are demanding justice for Zubeen Garg, and the chief minister’s statements are nothing but an attempt to silence Bir Lachit Sena and other voices.”

The incident has drawn widespread attention due to the swift police response and the political implications surrounding Bir Lachit Sena. The group has historically been associated with regional activism and claims to advocate for social and cultural causes in Assam. However, authorities have alleged that some of its members engage in extortion and coercive practices, which the government argues are harmful to the state’s economy and law and order.

The chief minister’s warning comes amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on regional outfits in Assam. By invoking the possibility of a ban similar to the one imposed on ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) in the past, Sarma has signaled a zero-tolerance approach toward organisations involved in illegal activities.

Authorities have emphasised that law enforcement will continue to monitor the group closely and take necessary action to prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, the investigation into the abduction is ongoing, with police focusing on establishing the full extent of the suspects’ connections to the organisation and identifying any potential leadership involvement.

Rahul Mishra’s rescue within hours of the abduction has been hailed as a success for Assam Police, demonstrating their efficiency in handling kidnapping cases. The government has also highlighted the incident as an example of its commitment to protecting business interests and ensuring public safety in the state.

The political and social ramifications of the incident are likely to continue, as the government weighs whether Bir Lachit Sena’s activities justify a ban and how to address allegations of extortion and intimidation by regional groups. For now, the state administration has made it clear that continued illegal activity will not be tolerated, and the outfit has been placed under heightened scrutiny.

In summary, the abduction of businessman Rahul Mishra has escalated tensions between the Assam government and Bir Lachit Sena, with the chief minister issuing a strong warning about potential consequences. The police’s rapid action in rescuing the businessman and arresting the suspects underscores the government’s focus on maintaining law and order, while the organisation’s denial highlights the complex political dynamics and competing narratives surrounding the incident. As investigations proceed, Assam authorities will be closely monitoring the activities of Bir Lachit Sena to ensure that such incidents do not recur.