GUWAHATI, March 16 � More than 10,000 militants surrendered before the Government in Assam since 1998 and from time to time, the Government of India amended the surrender cum rehabilitation scheme for militants in NE region to ensure that the surrendered militants can lead a normal life. On its part, the Government of Assam has decided to appoint surrendered militants in Assam police battalions on the basis of their eligibility and physical fitness.
As per the list submitted by the Government in a written reply to a question by Girindra Kumar Baruah (AGP) in the State Assembly, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) topped the list of surrendered militants as during the period from 1998 to March 5 this year, more than 4260 militants belonging to the outfit laid down arms. The list included 2711 militants of the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), which was disbanded following the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement between the Government and the outfit in 2003.
The list submitted in the House included 514 Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front and 416 DHD (J) militants. These outfits surrendered weapons to come for talks with the Government for political solution of their problems.
Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, who was replying to the question on behalf of the Chief Minister, said that the surrendered militants are in touch with the Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts and 353 of them are receiving rehabilitation training. Interestingly, 48 surrendered militants were arrested on charges of extortion.
Giving an account of the steps taken for the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants, Hussain said that the Government of India first launched the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme for the Militants of NE region in 1998. As per that scheme, only the surrendered militants who stayed in the rehabilitation camps received a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for a period of one year. But as the scheme did not help much in rehabilitation of the surrendered militants, the State Government took up the matter with the Centre and the scheme was amended in 2005 and the surrendered militants were given a stipend of Rs 2,500 per month for a period of three years and if they do not indulge in any unlawful activity during the period, they would be given margin money of Rs 1.50 lakh to start a new life.
The rehabilitation scheme was amended again in December last year and the monthly stipend for a year for the surrendered militants was increased to Rs 3,500 and on receiving good conduct certificates after a year, they would be given Rs 1.50 lakh after a year.
