GUWAHATI, March 2 - Completion of the process of rehabilitation of members of four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) will take some time as the credentials of all the members will be checked thoroughly before giving them the benefits of the rehabilitation schemes.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that signing of peace agreement with all the four factions of the NDFB was a very positive development as it brought an end to gun culture in the Bodoland area, but the process of rehabilitation of members of the outfits is a complicated one and it will take some time to complete it.
Sources pointed out that the four factions of the NDFB submitted a list of more than 1600 members and district and state level screening committees would have to examine their credentials before they are declared eligible to receive the benefits. �There have been instances in the past where militant outfits submitted inflated list of cadres and that is why it is necessary to examine the credentials of all the cadres,� sources added. After receiving the reports of the district level committees, a state level screening committee will examine the credentials of the cadres.
The state level screening committee, headed by the Inspector General of Police of the Special Branch, will also comprise representatives of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau, Central armed forces, Army etc.
Sources said that if any member of the militant outfits indulges in unlawful activities after laying down arms, he or she would not be entitled for the benefits under the rehabilitation schemes. Moreover, the rehabilitation process would be different for the trained armed cadres and the unarmed political wing cadres.
Sources pointed out that the Government may take a decision to withdraw the cases relating to non-heinous crimes committed by members of the outfits. But in case of heinous crimes, the law will take its own course, sources added.
