GUWAHATI: In a significant development, it has been reported that as many as 35 cadres belonging to the Adivasi People's Liberation Army (APLA) are preparing to surrender themselves and return to the mainstream.
According to media reports, the militants are expected to lay down their arms and surrender in either Jorhat or Golaghat district.
Presently, the group is encamped at an undisclosed location in Merapani town in Golaghat. The decision to surrender comes under the directive of APLA Commander-in-Chief Sahil Munda, as revealed by media reports.
Notably, the tribal rebel outfit has already established contact with senior police officials in the area, indicating their intent to surrender.
This move follows the recent surrender of over 1,100 militants from eight Adivasi rebel groups, including three splinter groups that emerged due to internal divisions within the organisation.
The surrender ceremony for these groups is to take place at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
The event was graced by the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, officials from the Home Department, and Assam Police.
The Adivasi rebel groups that surrendered include the All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), ANNLA (FG), Birsa Commando Force (BCF), BCF (BT), Santhal Tiger Force, Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam (ACMA), ACMA (FC), and Adivasi People's Army (APA).
These groups had been operating under a ceasefire agreement since 2016. During their surrender, they relinquished a considerable cache of weaponry, comprising 304 sophisticated arms, and 1,460 rounds of ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, .303 rifles, SLR rifles, carbines, G3 rifles, Insas rifles, LMGs, pistols, semi-automatic rifles, grenades, IEDs, RDX, and TNT.
It is worth mentioning that these Adivasi extremist organisations had previously surrendered to the Government on January 24, 2012.
Subsequently, they signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement on October 4, 2016. Since the signing of the SoO agreement, multiple rounds of talks have taken place between these groups and the government.
On September 15, 2022, the Adivasi Accord was eventually signed between these groups, the Central government, and the Assam government, marking a significant step towards reconciliation and peace in the region.
