644 militants surrender in Assam, CM Sonowal urges them to work for nation-building

GUWAHATI: In one of the largest surrender of militants in Northeast in recent times, 644 rebels laid down arms in Assam on Thursday.

The militants belonged to eight groups including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, National Santhal Liberation Army and National Liberation Front of Bengali.

They surrendered along with 177 assorted weapons before Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior officials of the police, army and civil administration at a program in Guwahati.

Assam’s Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said it was an important day for the state, as well as Assam Police as such a large number of the militants, joined the mainstream.

Sonowal hailed the rebels and appealed to them to take a resolve that they would dedicate their lives to the interests of the nation.

“There cannot be development without peace. We all have to work together for peace and prosperity. United we stand, divided we fall,” he said in his speech.

“Each one of you has strength. You may not be aware of it. I urge you to use it to build the nation and society. You can do a lot,” he said.

The CM said the group of the militants laying down arms could now reap the dividends of Central schemes.

“The government will extend all possible assistance to you. My appeal to you is that wherever you live, you work to create an environment of peace,” he added.

There is a rehabilitation package for surrendered militants in Assam. They get financial assistance from the government and can also avail of a bank loan to start a business or invest the money in farming, entrepreneurship, etc.

Meanwhile, Paresh Baruah, the military chief of ULFA-Independent, described the surrender ceremony as a “drama”. He purportedly told a local news channel that all these militants had surrendered last year.

“This is nothing but a drama. Militants who surrendered have been made to surrender again. By doing this, the government is trying to weaken us. But let me assert they will never succeed. On the contrary, the ULFA will get strengthened,” Baruah asserted.

(THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS)

1547 Days ago