Slogans, chaos prevail as Ulfa leaders produced in court

Pro-Ulfa slogans filled the air as total chaos prevailed outside the Kamrup chief judicial magistrate's court where 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa and two other top leaders of the group were produced today.

Journalists and photographers waited since morning for the top leaders but Rajkhowa, along with Ulfa 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Baruah and 'sergeant' Raja Bora reached the fortified CJM court complex in a bus only at 5.30pm.

The trio had a hard time trying to alight from the vehicle as photographers and a large number of people surrounded them resulting in a near stampede.

The police, who were deployed in large numbers, were caught unawares when pro-Ulfa slogans were heard being made by a group of youths from across the road.

Slogans like "Arabinda Rajkhowa zindabad...Raju Barua zindabad...Ulfa zindabad" were heard even as policemen chased supporters away.

The heavy traffic on the road came to a standstill as people desperately tried to have a look at the Ulfa leaders.

The three came out of the court after about 15 minutes of hearing during which the CJM Robin Phukan remanded them in 12 days of police custody. But the situation outside turned even more chaotic as the three Ulfa leaders found it difficult to enter the bus.