Dispur, January 25: 676 militants from Assam, who have been members of 9 separatist groups, laid down their arms, to return to mainstream life. This has been the biggest surrender ceremony in North East India. The ceremony took place in Guwahati, the main city of Assam. Soon after laying down arms, the ex-militants recounted the gory of violence and harsh life they led in jungles.
“We have realized the futility of an armed struggle and decided to join the mainstream with the sincere hope that our grievances could be resolved through negotiations with the government,” said Javerez Khaka, chairman of the Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam. Sources have revealed that the 9 militant groups have embarked on observing ceasefire with the Central and State government. Formal peace talks are to commence soon.
The nine outfits that surrendered the arms are Adivasi Peoples’ Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Santhal Tiger Force (STF), Birsa Commando Force (BSF), Adivasi Cobra Militant Army (ACMA), the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), the United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA) and the Hmar Peoples’ Convention-Democratic (HPC-D). The 9 groups are part of 2 chief ethnic groups -Tribal Kukis in Eastern Assam and Adivasis. They have been the inhabitants of North and West Assam.
“Today is a historic day as not very often one sees so many militant groups shunning the path of violence and joining the national mainstream,” said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, in whose presence the militants laid down the arms. “Leave the past behind and look to the future positively. We assure that each one of you would be treated equally and be able to lead a life of dignity and honour.”
“The peace talks with the pro-talk faction of the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa are under way while the proposed peace talks with the Dima Halam Daogah (Niranjan) faction is in the final stage,” added the Home Minister.
—Agencies