Shocking tale of rebel in Rolex - SUV, laptops, phones tumble out of DHD-J kits

ANUP SHARMA
Guwahati, Oct. 21: DHD-J commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai wore a Rolex worth Rs 1 lakh, never mind the fact that the people he “fights for” make do with less than Rs 15,000 a year.

One lakh rupees, in fact, is the per capita income of seven persons in the district.

The luxury watch is just one of the exorbitant items that tumbled out of the militant leaders’ vanity kits when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) began probing a case of defalcation of funds in North Cachar Hills (now Dima Hasao).

The seizure list attached to the NIA chargesheet, which was submitted to the special judge of the agency last Tuesday, revealed shocking details about the extravagant lifestyle of these militant leaders, who waged a war against the state for “the people of the district”.

While Hojai sported a Rolex wristwatch, policemen seized gold chains and rings from other accused persons.

Two bags full of cosmetic items, a shaving kit and shampoo, were also seized from outfit’s chairman, Jewel Gorlosa.

The list also contains sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and electronic gadgets.

While the gadgets seized include high-end laptops from Sony, Lenovo, Compaq and N82 and E90 handsets of Nokia, the vehicles are mostly Scorpio and Bolero.

The extravagance makes for an ugly contrast to the condition of the district, considered one of the most backward in the state, with a population of 1,86,189 (according to the 2001 census).

The district lacks even basic civic amenities like schools, hospitals and roads.

While there are only 676 lower primary schools and 175 Middle English schools to cater to more than 55,000 children below 14 years of age, the number of arts and science colleges in the district is an abysmal four.

The figures in the health sector are just as shocking — with only just one hospital and five primary health centres for the entire population.

A source in the NIA revealed that Gorlosa, who was arrested from Bangalore in June last year, was caught spending exorbitant sums at health clubs.

Besides the gadgets, a huge amount of cash was also recovered from the accused who were close to Hojai and Gorlosa, the chargesheet revealed.