GUWAHATI, Jan 23 - As many as 644 cadres belonging to eight militant outfits, a couple of those lesser known, laid down their arms vowing to join the mainstream even as the State Government issued a caution note urging them not to indulge in any criminal activities.
The rebels belonging to NDFB(S), ULFA(I), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), National Liberation Front of Bengalis (NLFB), National Santhal Liberation Army (NSLA), Adivasi Dragon Fighters (ADF) and Rava National Liberation Front (RNLF) also surrendered a huge cache of arms and ammunition at a function at GMCH auditorium this morning.
Attending the arms laying function, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the cadres for joining the mainstream and shunning the path of violence and urged them to contribute to the nation building process.
�I expect that each one of you would work for peace and prosperity of the State in a manner that it would inspire members of other militant organizations to follow suit,� Sonowal said.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Special Branch of the Assam Police led by IGP (SB) Hiren Nath for being able to convince the militants to abjure the path of violence.
�Peace is a prerequisite for ushering in development and the former militants must contribute towards sustaining peace and harmony in the society,� he said.
He also urged the surrendered militants to come forward and take advantage of this positive environment to establish themselves in the society through hard work and dedication.
�The State government is always ready to help the surrendered militants in their rehabilitation process,� he said. Sonowal also felicitated the outgoing GOC 4 Corps Lt Gen Manoj Pandey and welcomed the incoming GOC 4 Corps Lt Gen Shantanu Dayal.
The arms laying ceremony was also attended by Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Director General of Assam Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and State Government�s interlocutor Pallab Bhattacharya among others.
In a statement issued later in the afternoon, the Assam Police said, �Today, 644 cadres of eight militant organizations who surrendered in 2019 have formally laid down the arms in a formal ceremony and they will be rehabilitated as per Government norms. These groups are not related to ceasefire of NDFB(S) Saoraigwra, Bidai or Batha.�