The political adviser of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam and a key leader of the pro-talks faction, Bishnujyoti Buragohain alias Bhimakanta Buragohain died of a cardiac arrest at his residence at Ahom Gaon (Dhola) in Tinsukia district of Eastern Assam on Monday evening.
Buragohain, who was popularly called 'mama' (maternal uncle) by members of the ULFA, reportedly suffered a heart attack and died almost immediately. He was 80. Buragohain was among the founder-members of the ULFA, when the group was floated on April 7, 1979, at Rang Ghar in Sivasagar district.
The ULFA leader played a key role in facilitating dialogue with the government of India and the ULFA faction led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while condoling the death of the ULFA leader, said the political adviser of the outfit would be remembered for the positive role he had played in initiating the current peace process.
The ULFA leader was in-charge of ULFA's general headquarters in Bhutan when the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) steamrolled the ULFA base in December, 2003. He was arrested immediately after Operation All Clear carried out by the RBA and handed over to the Indian Army. Since then he had been in jail till his release on bail earlier this year to facilitate his participation in the peace process.
Pro-talks ULFA leaders condoled the death of their senior leader. A senior leader of the ULFA faction, Sashadhar Choudhury, said mama was a guiding beacon for the outfit and had stirred the outfit's cadres through many tough times.
The hardliner faction of the ULFA also condoled the death of Buragohain in an email statement. 'Acting chairman' Dr Abhijeet Bormon and military chief Paresh Barua, terming mama's death an irreparable loss to Assam, said a three-day mourning will be observed at all ULFA camps, during which the outfit's flag will be flown at half-mast.
