Express News Service
GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday offered Rs 1.5 lakh each to 318 surrendered militants for their rehabilitation. The former militants were part of groups such as United Gorkha People’s Organisation, Tiwa Liberation Army, Kuki National Liberation Army, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who distributed the cheques at an event here, said the beneficiaries joined the mainstream by abjuring violence, and asked them to use the money judiciously. The CM said that initially, 11 members of the DNLA had surrendered but now the entire group is engaged in the peace process with the government.
“Over the past 18 months, all groups, except the ULFA, joined the mainstream. Many also signed peace accords,” Sarma, who became the CM on May 10 last year, said. He added that the state government has facilitated the rehabilitation of 6,780 insurgents so far.
“I hope that we will get ULFA on board some day. I request its military chief Paresh Baruah to join the peace process. It is through talks that we can rebuild Assam,” Sarma said. The ULFA has two factions, of which one is engaged in the peace process. However, the Baruah-led group, which operates out of Myanmar, remains active in upper Assam.
GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday offered Rs 1.5 lakh each to 318 surrendered militants for their rehabilitation. The former militants were part of groups such as United Gorkha People’s Organisation, Tiwa Liberation Army, Kuki National Liberation Army, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who distributed the cheques at an event here, said the beneficiaries joined the mainstream by abjuring violence, and asked them to use the money judiciously. The CM said that initially, 11 members of the DNLA had surrendered but now the entire group is engaged in the peace process with the government.
“Over the past 18 months, all groups, except the ULFA, joined the mainstream. Many also signed peace accords,” Sarma, who became the CM on May 10 last year, said. He added that the state government has facilitated the rehabilitation of 6,780 insurgents so far.
“I hope that we will get ULFA on board some day. I request its military chief Paresh Baruah to join the peace process. It is through talks that we can rebuild Assam,” Sarma said. The ULFA has two factions, of which one is engaged in the peace process. However, the Baruah-led group, which operates out of Myanmar, remains active in upper Assam.
