In a major success on part of the Assam government, two most wanted leaders of the banned Bodo militant outfit the Saoraigwra faction of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB-S) came overground on January 22nd, 2020.

M Batha alias Binod Mushahary and B Bidai alias Bishnu Basumatary, two top leaders of the NDFB-S, came overground along with 600 cadres from undisclosed camps along India-Bhutan border in Assam’s Kokrajhar district.

This comes a week after the NDFB-S signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and agreed to abjure violence and join the peace talks. B Saoraigwra, 27 other cadres including NDFB general secretary B R Feranga and its finance secretary B Dwmwilu are a part of the group who have signed the SoO.

The cadres received “rousing welcome” at Rangapara as villagers gathered in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of the militants. The militants were later taken to Bishmuri area of Kokrajhar district by security forces and will be brought to Guwhati on January 23rd, 2020.

Bidai and Batha are not part of the SoO agreement. However, the chief of Bodoland Territorial Council, Hagrama Mohilary had earlier said that these two top NDFB-S leaders will join peace parleys with the Centre.

The coming of two leaders – Bidai and Batha – assumes significance as the Assam government has organised an arms-laying down ceremony by members of militant outfits at the GMCH Auditorium in Guwahati on January 23rd, 2020.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam ministers, senior officers of Assam Police will be present during the programme.

As per sources, around 1,000 militants of ULFA, NDFB-S, KLO and NLFB are likely to lay down their arms on January 23rd, 2020.

Photo: Time8