Overview

• Special TADA judge Manas Barua pronounced the verdict on August 20 in Guwahati, acquitting 31 of 43 accused in Case No. 1/1991.
• The case was registered at Dispur Police Station in 1991, tried under TADA, UAPA and multiple IPC sections, with formal trial proceedings beginning in 2001.
• Prominent ULFA pro-talks figures among those cleared include Anup Chetia, Arabinda Rajkhowa, Sashadhar Choudhury, Raju Barua, Chitraban Hazarika, Munin Nobis and Sunil Nath.
• Advocate Pranab Das said the detailed judgment will be issued in the coming days, while several accused, including ULFA(I) chief Paresh Barua, remain absconding.
• Acquitted leaders welcomed the ruling and noted that a separate TADA case involving about 10–11 accused is still pending.