by Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : In the presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, a total of 63 cadres of 4 different militant groups including ULFA (I), PDSK, DNLA and UPRF joined the mainstream today by arming arms in Guwahati. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal appealed to the militants to leave the path of violence and contribute to the development of the State by joining the mainstream.

He said that the government attaches importance to the surrendered militants and the youth who return to the mainstream can avail of government schemes, leaving the path of violence. Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant and Inspector General of Police (Special Branch) Hiren Chandra Nath (IPS) told reporters that this is an important day for the state and Assam police. Altogether, leaders of 64 cadre and 4 terrorist groups have put up arms. He said it is one of the biggest surrenders of terrorists in recent times. Mahanta further said that these terrorists have handed over several weapons like AK-47 and AK-56. It is a historic day for Assam.

Talking to the media, Inspector General of Police (Special Branch) Hiren Chandra Nath said that the government will help all self-dedicated terrorists. The Government of India and the Government of Assam are ready to provide as much facility as possible to this people. He said all banned terrorist outfits should help the people by surrendering with unity for peace and development. The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering after the surrender of militants in the Cultural Institute Srimata Shankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

The surrenderers include 18 of ULFA, 32 of the United People’s Revolutionary Front, 13 of the Dimasa National Liberation Army and one militant from the People’s Democratic Front of Bodoland. Deputy Commander-in-chief of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA-I), Vision Rajkhoua also formally surrendered before the chief Minister. However, he had put up arms in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on November 11 in front of the security forces. Four top militants of the organization along with Rajkhowa, who came second after ULFA chief Paresh Barua, put up arms. The militants handed over 14 AK series rifles, one M-20 semi automatic rifle, 15 pistols, two 9mm carbines and other modern weapons and large quantities of ammunition. Chief Secretary Jisnu Barua and DIRECTOR General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant were also present in the programme organized by the police and the state Home Department. It may be known that ulfa (i) seeking the independence of Assam was banned by the government in 1990. Earlier this year, 644 members of various militant outfits surrendered on January 23. Thereafter, all the 968 militants operating in Myanmar of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S) surrendered on January 30 before the historic tripartite Bodoland Territorial Area Peace Agreement. The agreement was signed between the centre, the Assam government and the militant outfit. A senior police official said, police and district officials have been interacting with these terrorists during the last three years. As part of the ongoing talks, the rebels amassed their weapons and returned to the mainstream. Their violent and criminal activities were also stopped.