Frustration among the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres is becoming increasingly apparent, with militants surrendering to the police en masse.
Guwahati, Nov 16 : Frustration among the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres is becoming increasingly apparent, with militants surrendering to the police en masse.
Over 150 ultras have laid down their arms in the last three months.
In a major event of surrender, 66 ULFA militants, including some holding high rank in the outfit, laid down their arms in Guwahati earlier this month. All of them pledged to be a part of mainstream society.
There is a growing dissension and disillusionment among ULFA cadres, who think that the outfit has deviated from its original ideology and its top leadership is working against the interests of Assam.
Bipul Neog, a rebel, who surrendered, said: "We want peace in Assam. We want both the ULFA and the government should solve this (rebel) problem. The problem should be solved politically; only then peace can be restored in Assam."
"We have joined ULFA for an independent Assam. We thought it's the right way. We thought we would be successful, but because of political conspiracy we are fighting each other," said Gopla Sandikoi, another ULFA militant, who surrendered.
The process of surrender of militants started gaining momentum after the peace process ended in a deadlock last year, said police.
According to official sources, at a time when the peace process was on, only 44 militants laid down arms in 13 months, and in the last three months more than 150 cadres have surrendered.
The development is seen as a major blow to the outfit.
Assam Police DGP N Mathur termed this as a "good sign".
"After talking to them (surrendered rebels), I realised that they had become totally frustrated with their own organisation, and that they have decided to join the mainstream on their own. This is very good sign," said Mathur, adding: "If they keep on coming to the mainstream in the same way I think very soon we will solve the vexed problem."
Besides disillusionment with the ULFA leadership, the rehabilitation policy of the government is also among the reasons for the rebels' deserting the rebel camps.
The government pays Rs. 2000 per month, besides vocational training to the surrendered rebels. Also Rs. 150,000 is given to each of the surrendered militant after three years, if their conduct remains good.
ANI