Heerak Jyoti Mahanta, also spelled as Hirakjyoti Mahanta, Hirak Jyoti Mahanta, alias Jayanta Medhi alias Naren Deka, was the first deputy commander-in-chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). He was killed on the eve of 31 December 1991.[1][2]
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 September 1961 Nalbari, Assam, India |
| Died | 31 December 1991 (aged 30) Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Cause of death | Killed by Assam Police & Indian Army |
| Burial place | Bhootnath Cremation Ground 26°10′10″N 91°43′21″E / 26.1693348°N 91.7225207°E |
| Other names | Jayanta Medhi Naren Deka [1] |
| Alma mater | Gauhati University |
| Parents |
|
He was one of the hardcore cadres of the ULFA. He strongly opposed any kind of surrendering and lateral talk with the Indian government, and it never happened within the outfit until his death. After his death, though, in 1992, a large section of second-rung leaders and members surrendered to government authorities.[3]
Early life and education
editMahanta was a student of Guwahati's renowned Cotton Collegiate Government High School, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in physics from Gauhati University.[4]
Militancy life
editMahanta completed his militancy training in Kachin, Myanmar with ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, and they returned to Assam in 1984.[5][6] Mahanta was a brave and strong youth militant leader in the outfit.[7]
Conspiracy
editIn 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. Subsequently, under the direction of Paresh Baruah, his movement was passed on to the Assam Police, which ultimately led to his death.[8]
Death
editOn 31 December 1991, military intelligence received a tip-off about Mahanta's hideout in Guwahati. A huge team of the army moved quickly, nabbing one of Mahanta's security guards, Moon Ali, from a hotel in Guwahati's Fancy Bazaar. Moon Ali's detention led the army to the house of Nripen Baruah in the Geetanagar area, where Mahanta and his two other security guards were taking shelter. The army encircled the house; the three men were unable to escape from the gherao and all were detained.[3][9]
Mahanti was taken to the Geetanagar police station, where he was shot and killed. Though his death occurred in the police station, most of the newspapers argue that uncompromising Mahanta was killed by Army as he refused to relent even after being caught.[10]
Heerak Jyoti Mahanta's death created a massive outrage throughout Assam, amongst both the outfit and civilians. Thousands of villagers of his hometown of the Nalbari district gathered where ULFA militants offered the last honor to their leader.[11] The funeral processions served as a law and order challenge to the state government.[12][13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Heerak Jyoti Mahanta – Man who won't be a forgotten History". Times of Assam. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ Baruah, Sanjib (1994). "The State and Separatist Militancy in Assam: Winning a Battle and Losing the War?". Asian Survey. 34 (10). University of California Press: 863–877. doi:10.2307/2644966. JSTOR 2644966 – via JSTOR.
- ^ a b Hazarika, Sanjoy (2000). Strangers Of The Mist: Tales of War and Peace from India's Northeast. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 9788184753349.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mahanta, Nani Gopal (2013). Confronting the State: ULFA's Quest for Sovereignty. SAGE Publications. p. 59. ISBN 9788132113270.
- ^ Rammohun, E M (2011). Countering Insurgencies in India : An Insider's View. United Service Institution of India. New Delhi: Vij Books India Private Limited. p. 61. ISBN 978-93-81411-66-7.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lolla Paul, C. H. Rajahans (2002). The Terror Business: Counting the Major Terrorist Groups of the World & Insight Into Their Growth & Operations : Volume 3. Dominant Publishers and Distributors. p. 1654. ISBN 9788178880303.
- ^ "Peace in pieces:What Government ought to do". Srimanta.org. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- ^ Rajahans, C. H; Paul, Lolla (2002). The Terror Business : Counting the Major Terrorist Groups of the World & Insight Into Their Growth & Operations. New Delhi: Dominant Publishers and Distributors. p. 16654. ISBN 978-81-7888-030-3.
- ^ New Delhi, India, Institute for Conflict Management (1999). "Faultlines". Faultlines. 8–11: 115. ISSN 0972-1290.
- ^ Rajahans, C. H; Paul, Lolla (2002). The Terror Business : Counting the Major Terrorist Groups of the World & Insight Into Their Growth & Operations. Vol. 3 (1st ed.). New Delhi: Dominant Publishers and Distributors. p. 1654. ISBN 978-81-7888-030-3.