Assam Police Say Nighttime Blasts Near ULFA-I Chief’s Home Were Birthday Skyshots

Overview

• Police concluded the loud reports near Paresh Baruah’s Jeraigaon home, heard late Sunday, came from celebratory shots about 150 metres away during a birthday.
• Officers said flashes seen on CCTV matched the 12:04 am and 12:05 am bursts and they cited a video the youths recorded during the celebration.
• Family members and a security guard had first reported hearing at least two rounds near the house, and they said the cameras showed nothing.
• No one was hurt and no cartridges were found at the site, where four Assam Police personnel, including a personal security officer, rotate on guard duty.
• Investigators are still verifying details, and the scare drew extra attention because a close ULFA-I associate returned from Myanmar two days earlier and similar episodes were reported in 2000 and 2001.