File Photo: Adivasis keep vigil outside a church after attacks by Bodo militants in Sonitpur in Assam (Press Trust of India)
A top ranking militant leader of the NDFB (Songbijit), involved in the Adivasi massacre on December 23 last, was arrested during a joint operation of army and police from Chetnaguri in Kokrajhar district of Assam today.
The militant has been identified as self styled Chirang platoon commander "Samar Basumatary" alias "Sona", a defence spokesman said.
One 7.65 mm pistol, three live cartridges, one hand grenade and other materials were recovered during the operation leading to his arrest, he said.
"Sona", who received training in Myanmar, was a close aide of NDFB(S) 'deputy commander-in-chief Batha' and tasked to give training to recruits of the outfit at NDFB camp in Myanmar from 2010 to 2013, he said.
The militant is one of the senior most cadres of NDFB (S) and was directly involved in the massacre of Adivasis in Ultapani on December 23, the spokesman said.
He was also involved in snatching of weapons from Territorial Ecological Force in Kokrajhar district last year.