New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) A self-styled deputy commander of banned militant outfit United National Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has been arrested here from the house of Congress MP Anwar Hussain for allegedly threatening and extorting a sum of Rs.25,000 from him, the police said Monday. Ranjan Bikash Borgohain alias Ramen Barua, 51, resident of Dibrugarh in Assam was arrested from Hussain’s official residence at 16-A Firoz Shah Road Delhi Saturday. He had come to demand Rs.2.5 million.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar said threatening letters addressed to many politicians on the letterheads of ULFA bearing signatures of Hira Sarania, a self styled commander of its 709 battalion, were recovered from him.

“Barua was arrested after Hussain informed police about his presence. The MP said the accused also visited his residence in March and April 2008 and delivered threatening letters. Then he had taken Rs.25,000 as extortion money,” Kumar said.

According to the police Barua during interrogation said ULFA militants Pradeep Bhatta and Romen Duara motivated him to join them in 1985.

Initially he was tasked to motivate youth to join ULFA and he successfully recruited over 50 militants.

He was then assigned the task of extorting money from various people for the outfit. He transported militants from one location to another, Kumar said.