UALA to be disbanded on Monday

SHILLONG: The disbanding ceremony for the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) will be held on February 29 at 11 AM at Dikki Bandi Stadium, Dakopgre, Tura.
All the surrendered cadres of UALA will be present for the ceremonial handing over of arms and weapons and formal disbanding.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi, who is the Chairman of the Committee for peace process, said in a statement issued to the media on Thursday that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will be the chief guest of the programme which will be attended by Home Minister Roshan Warjri, cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries,       MLAs, MDCs, church leaders, social organizations, senior citizens and others.
It was on December 18 last year that the formal agreed text was signed by the State government and UALA chairman Novembirth Ch Marak alias Chiindik in Tura in the presence of the chief minister and the Home minister and a host of other political dignitaries at Tura Circuit House.
The programme was also attended by the chief secretary, commissioner of division, Inspector General of Police and others. The official and non-official interlocutors were also present in the programme for signing of the agreed text for peace.
The disbanded cadres have been asked to report to the district police for verification process and the list of the cadres and the weapons also would be submitted by the UALA chairman.
There will be a period of psychological and spiritual counselling for the disbanded cadres after the programme and they will be linked up with skill development programmes and self employment opportunities.
“It is hoped that the disbanding of yet another militant group will set the stage for more reconciliation and peace talks with other insurgent groups,” Bakshi said in the statement.