In one of the largest surrender of militants in recent times, a total of 644 rebels belonging to eight insurgent groups laid down their arms in Guwahati on January 23rd, 2020.
The members of the insurgent groups United Liberation Front of Assam (50), Saoraigwra faction of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB-S) [8], Rabha National Liberation Front (13), Communist Party of India-Maoist (1), National Santhal Liberation Army (87), Adivasi Dragon Fighter (178) and National Liberation Front of Bengalis (301) and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (6) surrendered with 177 arms in Guwahati.
The arms-laying ceremony was held at GMCH Auditorium, Bhangagarh, Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam ministers, Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta along with other senior police officials were present at the function.
M Batha alias Binod Mushahary and B Bidai alias Bishnu Basumatary, two top leaders of the NDFB-S, came overground on January 22nd, 2020 along with 600 cadres from undisclosed camps along India-Bhutan border in Assam’s Kokrajhar district.
The cadres received “rousing welcome” at Rangapara as villagers gathered in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of the militants.
This comes after Saoraigwra, 27 other cadres including NDFB general secretary B R Feranga and its finance secretary B Dwmwilu signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre.
However, these rebels who surrendered today are not related to ceasefire group of NDFB-S’ Saoraigwra, Bdai or Batha.
Mahanta said, “This is an important day for the state and the Assam Police. It is one of the largest surrender of militants in recent times. Altogether 644 cadres and leaders of eight militant groups laid down their arms today.”
Check out the details of arms and ammunition deposited by the surrenderees:
Photo: Time8
