Why did a dreaded ULFA lieutenant give up his weapon to become an entrepreneur? Read the true story of Bipul Kalita

On rare occasions, we come across stories that compel us to believe in the transformative power of individuals who choose to shun the wrong path and embrace the good. Equally rare are those individuals who have transitioned from a life of crime to dedicate themselves to the service of society. One such story is of Bipul Kalita of Assam. As a youth, Kalita wanted to cleanse society with guns. He was a former self-styled lieutenant of the banned ULFA outfit. However, while maturing, Kalita realized that the path he had chosen was wrong and thus returned to the mainstream.

Kalita’s entrepreneurial journey

Kalita, now in her mid-fifties, has turned into an entrepreneur dedicated to the important task of waste management in her hometown Sivasagar, Assam. In his earlier years, Kalita spent nearly 12 years pursuing the vision of establishing a “sovereign Assam” with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), an organization that was outlawed. However, in 2000, he decided to lay down his arms and has since found contentment in family life, living with his wife and two daughters in his native village in the eastern region of the state.

“Looking at the current development in the state in areas like infrastructure, education and health, we realized that the dream of independent Assam was wrong. From 2016 we started devoting ourselves to social services”: Mr. Bipul Kalita, Ex militant pic.twitter.com/F0a6P4vyw0– PIB in Assam (@PIB_Guwahati) February 7, 2023

After working in various jobs during his formative years, Bipul Kalita took an important decision in 2016 to embark on the journey of entrepreneurship. With seven to eight partners, he started a door-to-door waste collection venture. Unfortunately, most of his colleagues eventually abandoned the endeavor, considering it an unsuitable occupation. Undaunted, Kalita persevered and continued with her NGO named ‘Rupantar’. Her unwavering dedication attracted the attention of six other civil society organizations who extended their support for her noble cause.

He now has seven vehicles and staff, including drivers and other helpers, who have the job of garbage collection and disposal. Around 20-25 women work with her NGO. Apart from garbage collection, Kalita’s NGO also has two machines to convert waste into manure. These were given by the Sivasagar Municipal Board.

Challenges faced by Kalita

While Bipul Kalita and his team were trained to operate the machines to convert the waste into compost, the chemicals required for the process have to be sourced from Delhi and this continues to be a problem for them. Kalita said the financial crunch continues to be the biggest challenge as his venture is dependent on a meager monthly fee collected from households and commercial buildings. He collects Rs.60 per month per household and out of which he pays Rs.10 to the municipal board.

Early years with ULFA

In 1986, at the age of 17 or 18, Kalita found herself influenced by a neighbor who persuaded her to join the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The ideology promoted by the group resonated with him, making him a part of this feared organization. Reflecting on his time as a cadre, Kalita vividly recalls the immense challenges he faced while training and living in Myanmar’s Kachin province. Tragically, many young boys lost their lives during the training process, and without access to adequate medical care, the militants suffered unknown diseases. By the time Kalita decided to leave ULFA in 2000, the organization had gained some degree of popularity. However, between 2008 and 2010, most of its central committee members converted to the mainstream, resulting in a significant change in the group’s dynamics. (with agency inputs)