As many as 1,179 militants belonging to banned outfits United Democratic Liberation Front of Barak Valley (UDLF-BV) and Bru Revolutionary Army of Union (BRAU) surrendered in Assam's Hailakandi on Monday. As per reports, the militants have been mostly active in areas along the Assam-Mizoram border. As part of their surrender here, the militants gave up at least 350 firearms, including 18 AK series rifles, M16 rifles and over 400 cartridges.
ओम धगाल - पूर्व प्रदेश कार्यकारिणी सदस्य भाजपा युवा मोर्चा
ओम धगाल की और से हिंडोली विधानसभा क्षेत्र एवं बूंदी जिले वासियों को रौशनी के त्यौहार दीपावली की हार्दिक बधाई व शुभकामनाएं
The act of surrender and laying down of arms was done before Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika here.
Talking about the militants and their outfits, Additional Director General of Police (Special Branch), Hiren Chandra Nath said that efforts to neutralise these militants and bring peace to the areas have been taken for a long time. There have been some disagreements and hurdles on this path too, but eventually the surrender of all these militants became a reality, Nath informed. The process of peacemaking has been going on since 2017, however, it was prioritised under the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he said.
The peace process with these two groups had been underway since 2017. There were some differences but under the guidance of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we could convince them to come to the negotiating table," he said.
Speaking further about the upcoming actions in this regard, Additional Director General of Police (Special Branch), Hiren Chandra Nath said that the formalities and rehabilitation will be initiated soon in the area, for the surrendered militants. He also added that action will be taken by the security forces in ensuring that no new militant group is formed in the area, and peace is kept for good.
"Other formalities and rehabilitation process will begin soon. We will take the process forward in such a manner that no new militant group is formed in the area in future," the senior police officer said.
Notably, the two groups had already been in a ceasefire with the security forces.
