GUWAHATI, Jan 10 - The terms of the ceasefire agreements with two factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) have been extended by six months.
Official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Joint Secretary (North East) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and senior officials of the State Government today had discussions with leaders of the NDFB(R) and NDFB(P) to review the ceasefire agreements. The meetings decided to increase the term of the agreements by six months with effect from January 1 this year.
Sources said that implementation of the ground rules of the ceasefire agreements were discussed in the meeting and there were records of a few violations of such rules by members of the outfits. Sources said that most of the incidents of ceasefire violations were of extortions.
The leaders of both the militant outfits were told in clear terms that no ceasefire violation would be tolerated and if any member of the outfit is found to be involved in illegal activities, strong action would be taken against him or her as per the laws of the land. The leaders of the outfits were also asked to ensure that all the members of the outfits strictly adhere by the ground rules of the ceasefire agreements.
Meanwhile, leaders of the NDFB(P) and NDFB(R) told the Joint Secretary (North East) that the monthly stipend of Rs 3,000 paid to the members of the militant outfits under ceasefire was not adequate.
