GUWAHATI, Jan 30 - Days after signing of the historic Bodo peace agreement, a total of 1,615 militants belonging to the four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), including top leaders, laid down their arms at a function here on Thursday.
The surrendered militants deposited 175 sophisticated arms, 4,803 rounds of ammunition, 14 grenades and a mortar.
Attending the ceremony, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the government is committed to implementing the Bodo peace accord in letter and spirit. �We will work in tandem with the Centre to ensure that each and every clause of the agreement is implemented. By laying down arms, the NDFB militants have once again proved that it is only by abjuring violence that peace can be achieved,� he said.
�Today�s development, I am sure, will inspire others to join the mainstream and it proves that the NDFB militants want peace in the State,� Sonowal said, adding, �those who have joined the mainstream today are a potent human resource which can be utilised to make Assam a powerful entity in Southeast Asia. We need to work as Team Assam to achieve our goals.�
The Chief Minister said the State government will prepare a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation scheme for the surrendered militants in consultation with all the stakeholders of the Bodo peace agreement.
State Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking on the occasion, said that the peace agreement will usher in an era of peace and development. �We are committed to bring the Bodo-Kachari Autonomous Council Bill in the coming session of the Assembly,� he said.
Leaders of all the four NDFB factions � Ranjan Daimary, Gobinda Basumatary, Dhirendra Bodo and B Saoraigwra were present on the occasion.
ABSU president Pramod Boro, who spoke on behalf of the leaders of four NDFB factions, said, �Peace is priceless and it is only through peace that development can be achieved... Today is a historic day and we appeal to the government to implement the peace accord in totality... The revolution for asserting our rights have ended but with it has begun the revolution for development. For years, we were finding ourselves sandwiched between violent and nonviolent approaches to achieve our goals. From today onwards, we need to work for development. At the same time, I request the government to withdraw all the cases against the NDFB militants.�