From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI :1039 militants belonging to notorious militant Ingti Kathar Songbijit and five militant groups decided to return to the mainstream by arming Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. All these militants were associated with the People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDSK), Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT), Cookie Liberation Front (KLF) and United People’s Liberation Army (UPLA). Songbijit was the head of the PDSK. He was previously commander-in-chief of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland. He was involved in several incidents including murder.
Welcoming the surrender of 1040 people from Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, Sonowal said his government is working to make Assam a militancy free state. “We are giving all possible help to the youth to return to society. We are also providing financial assistance and many other help. We will take further steps for them,” additional Director General of Police (Special Branch) Hiren Chandra Nath said, “The militants also deposited 338 weapons, 11M-16 guns and four LMG including 58 rifles of AK series. He said the government will enter into a formal peace agreement with militant groups within the next two days.
However, the militant outfit ‘ People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Anglong ‘ (PDSK) had announced a unilateral ceasefire on February 18 before union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Karbi Anglong district of Assam on February 25, before putting up arms with six other banned organisations. A senior police official had said that the insurgency will end in three districts of the state- Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao along with the arms of seven militant outfits like PDSK, Dima Halam Daogah and Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers. PDSK Chairman J.K. Lizhang said in a statement that the organization has decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire to trigger a political solution to the issues. Lijang had expressed hope that the central government would also show equal seriousness for a harmonious political solution to the issues.
