Drishti Rajkhowa, former Deputy of ULFA (I) & 62 other NE militants, lay down their arms

GUWAHATI: 63 militants belonging to different militant outfits laid down arms in a ceremonial surrender today at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, and several others. Drishti Rajkhowa, the once-dreaded deputy of the United Liberation Front of Axom (Independent), also laid down his arms in one of the most-high profile surrenders in recent memory.

Ong Teron, "commander-in-chief" of the People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK), also laid down his arms.

14 AK rifles, one m-20 semi-automatic rifle, 15 pistols, two 9mm Carbine, one Lethod gun, 20 Lethod shells, radio handset, etc. were also handed over to the authorities.

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18 of the surrendered militants are from ULFA (I), 32 are from United People's Revolutionary Front, a Kuki organisation of Karbi Anglong, 13 from Dimasa National Liberation Army (active in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills), and one from People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK).

Along with the surrender, a total of 14 AK rifles, one m-20 semi-automatic rifle, 15 pistols, two 9mm Carbine, one Lethod gun, 20 Lethod shells, radio handset, etc. were also handed over.

All the cadres who now joined mainstream are being rehabilitated under the scheme for rehabilitated militants.

Each of the cadres will now be provided with a stipend of Rs 6,000 a month. After the completion of three years, each of them will receive an amount of Rs 4 lakh as one-time grant money.

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