Biggest Arms Surrender To PC By 9 Rebel Groups

By Prabin Kalita


Guwahati, Jan 25 : Militancy-hit Assam was able to shirk off this tag on Tuesday with the biggest surrender of over 1,600 cadres of nine outfits in a day. However, a few remnant groups, including Ulfa hardliners led by Paresh Baruah, did not join the peace process.

An assortment of about 201 small and big weapons were deposited by the groups comprising five Adivasi, three Kuki and a Hmar outfit, before Union home minister P Chidambaram and chief minister Tarun Gogoi. Welcoming the cadres back into the mainstream, the home minister said, "We can build a great India, a great economy and we ask you all to join us in this glorious task of nation building."

Gogoi, on the other hand, reiterated his appeal to Baruah and his group to join the peace process. "Our doors are open for those who are willing to join the peace process but we will firmly deal with hardliners," he said.


Hailing the mega arms surrender ceremony, the home minister said, "Not often do we see so many groups, which have taken the path of militancy, returning to the path of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood. We believe that in our republic and democracy every voice deserves to be heard and all differences can be settled through talks and consultations."

Chidambaram said, "In the past couple of years, we have reached out to several outfits. We have signed the suspension of operation with the pro-talks faction of Ulfa, we have signed a memorandum of settlement with UPDS and negotiations with the DHD(J) are in the final stages. We expect a memorandum very soon, talks with DHD(N) are progressing well and talks with the NDFB (Progressive) will continue. Talks with the KLNLF are also progressing and the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB has declared unilateral ceasefire."

The nine outfits, Kuki Revolutionary Army, United Kukigram Defence Army, Hmar People's Convention (D), Kuki Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force, All Adivasi National Liberation Army and Adivasi People's Army had earlier declared a ceasefire. Chidambaram added, "We assure you that the government of India and the government of Assam will treat everyone of you as equal citizens with honour and dignity."

Also present at the ceremony were the 4th Corps GoC Lt Gen Shakti Gurung, 3rd Corps GoC Lt Gen Dalbir, director general of police and chairman of the Operational Group (Unified Command), J N Choudhury, GoC, Red Horns division Major General R N Nairand GoC Red Shield Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen.

The additional director general of Assam Police (special branch), who was responsible for the arms surrender ceremony, said, "All major outfits have finally come to the peace process except a few remnants and deserter groups."