Guwahati, Jan 27: As many as 246 cadres of two militant outfits, United Gorkha People’s Organisation (UGPO) and Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA), formally surrendered and laid down arms at a surrender ceremony here on Thursday.
Altogether 169 UGPO cadres from Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Kamrup (Rural), Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Udalguri and Sonitpur districts surrendered en masse at the ceremony.
On the other hand, 77 TLA cadres from Morigaon, Nagaon, West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong and Kamrup (Metro) districts laid down arms
UGPO, formed in 2007, has been mainly active in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Biswanath districts of Assam.
TLA, formed in 2014, was mainly active in Morigaon, Nagaon and West Karbi Anglong districts.
Both the outfits together deposited 277 types of arms and grenades and 720 rounds of ammunition before the authorities.
Moreover, a one-time financial grant of Rs 1.5 lakh each was distributed among the former members of Rava National Liberation Front (28 members), Adivashi Dragon Fighter (61), National Santhal Liberation Army (41), National Liberation Front of Bengali (303) and United People’s Revolutionary Front (29) for their rehabilitation.
These five former militant organisations had surrendered en masse before the authorities in January 2020.
Welcoming the surrendered militants back to mainstream, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that sincere efforts were being made to bring permanent peace to Assam.
“January 27 is a historic day as it was on this day in 2020 Bodo Peace Accord was signed in New Delhi. It is for all to see how peace has returned to BTR and momentum of development has started there,” Sarma said.
Stating that a peace settlement with ethnic extremist groups can only be achieved through dialogue as proved by recent examples, Sarma called on ULFA (I) and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), the only two remaining major extremist groups, to come forward and sit in peace talks with the Government of India.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to rehabilitate all surrendered militants by May 10 and make them integral parts of the society.
“The surrendered militants must engage in entrepreneurship and agriculture to lead a dignified life and make meaningful contributions to Assam’s progress. They have to utilise the financial grant judiciously for livelihood and generating employment. We are embracing the misguided youths who have come back home and expect them to utilise their vigour and strength to build a strong Assam.” he said.
Calling on the surrendered militants to never move back to the path of violence, the chief minister said they all had started on that path for the love of their race and to fulfil their genuine demands. “Now is the time to start a revolution not with guns but with hard work and dedication for the economic development of Assam,” he said.