Heerak Jyoti Mahanta
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta (Assamese: (হীৰক জ্য়োতি মহন্ত) (real name Heerak Jyoti Mahanta))was the first Deputy Commander-in-Chief of ULFA. He was killed on the eve of 31 December 1991.[1][2] He was said to be one of the hardcore cadre of the outfit. He strongly opposed any kind of surrendering and it never happened within the outfit till his death. After his death, a large section of second-rung leaders and members surrendered to government authorities in 1992.
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 September 1961 Nalbari, Assam, India |
| Died | 31 December 1991 (aged 30) Guwahati, India |
| Cause of death | Killed by Assam Police & Indian Army |
| Other names | Jayanta Medhi Naren Deka [1] |
| Alma mater | Gauhati University |
| Criminal charge(s) | Revolution against Indian Federation |
Early life and education
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta was a student of Guwahati's renowned Cotton Collegiate and passed Bachelor of Science in physics under Gauhati University.[3]
Militancy life
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta completed his militancy training in Kachin with ULFA Chief Paresh Baruah and they returned to Assam in 1986.[4]
The conspiracy
In the late 1990s, Mahanta became very powerful. He openly criticized the policies of the central leadership of ULFA and posed a potential threat to Paresh Baruah, the commander-in-chief of the outfit. Subsequently, on the direction of Paresh Baruah, his movement was passed on to the Assam Police, which led to his death in a serene hillock.[5]
Most of the newspapers, however, argue that uncompromising Mahanta was killed by Army as he refused to relent even after being caught.[2]
References
- "Attribute to Heerak Jyoti Mahanta – Man who won't be a forgotten History". Times of Assam. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- "Peace in pieces:What Government ought to do". Srimanta.org. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- "Heerak Jyoti Mahanta - Man who won't be a forgotten History". Times of Assam. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- Menon, Mady (25 August 2020). A Saga of the Valorous Wanchos. Notion Press. ISBN 9781649199324.
- Sidiqi, M. A. (12 August 2004). "Turbulent time for NE militant outfits". Dailyexcelsior.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2009.