Haflong: Ultras of the tribal militant outfit Dima National Democratic Front (DNDF) on Wednesday laid down arms at a ceremony at Haflong in Assam’s Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) district.
A total of 19 cadres of the group surrendered to Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen, General Officer Commanding of the Red Shield Division, Brig Ashim Kohli, Brigade Commander at Haflong and Mr VK Ramisetti, Superintendent of Police.
They deposited 17 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition.
The cadres included Boibodro Batari alias ‘Lieutenant’ Camera Dimasa and Samarjit Hasnu alias ‘Lieutenant’ Layung Dimasa and weapons included AK-series automatic rifles, M-16 rifles, US-make carbines, pistols and revolvers.
These cadres had all surrendered to the Army and Police authorities between February and April 2011 and their surrender had now formally been accepted by the State Government as part of its efforts to tackle insurgency in the state.
Formed in August 2010, the group came to the limelight with the kidnapping of Dr Naiding from Haflong in October 2010 and again of three employees of Indian Oil Tanking in December 2010.
Intensified operations by the Army and Police led to the release of the employees. The top cadres of the outfit, including its ‘chairman’ Aidoh Dimasa, had surrendered at the deputy commissioner’s office here on February 9 this year. (UNI)