Itanagar: According to the Arunachal Times, the state police have arrested four alleged operatives of the United Tani Army (UTA) from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh, recovering extortion notes, propaganda materials on the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), and anti-government write-ups from their possession.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Biri Ruja, who police described as the outfit’s “self-styled” vice chairman, along with Tana Padang, Marli Ingo, and Hungsa Pansa. Ruja was picked up from Banderdewa on 14 September, while Padang and Pansa were caught in Longding and Ingo in Itanagar the following day.
According to the report, officials said the arrests stemmed from a case filed at Nirjuli police station after a senior government officer reported receiving an extortion note demanding ₹5 crore. Around the same time, a Nirjuli-based business house was served a separate demand notice for ₹5 lakh on 8 September. Investigations later revealed that at least four such notices had been circulated to two officials in the Capital Region and one each in Basar and Pasighat.
Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said the breakthrough was made possible through human intelligence and technical surveillance. “Preliminary findings suggest that Ruja was coordinating the extortion drives while also directing UTA members online to circulate inflammatory messages about the SUMP issue,” he said. The case has been handed to the state police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Also Read | Centre, Arunachal unveil major development push ahead of Upper Siang Project