GUWAHATI:
In a major push to Assam government’s effort to tackle insurgency, the last batch of 52 active cadres of Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) surrendered before the police at Dhansiri camp under Karbi Anglong district, on February 16.
The cadres also laid down one carton of short gun along with 25 rounds of ammunition, one hand grenade, one .22 rifle with one magazine, 158 rounds of live ammunition, one action semi rifle with magazine, 19 rounds of BDR ammunitions, one carbine along with two magazines, 6 carbines with magazines, 32 pistols with two magazines, 30 live rounds of .32 ammunition and one AK series damaged magazine.
The arms-laying ceremony was held in presence of Karbi Anglong Superintendent of police Pushpraj Singh, deputy superintendent of police (headquarter) Nahit Karishma and commandant of 20 Bn CRPF, Sardar Swan Singh.
Speaking on development, SP Singh said, “It is a big day for Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong as 52 DNLA cadres with weapons have come to the mainstream. Today, we can say the surrendering process of the DNLA is complete. We have talked with the chairman and C-in-C in this regard,” the SP said.
He said that there are two designated camps – Dhansiri and Maibang – where the surrendered cadres will be camped for the moment. While 119 inmates will be kept at Dhansir, 49 others will stay at Maibang until their settlement.
“In the meantime, government will provide all support to them,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, EX DNLA chairman Etika Diphusa, who had surrendered earlier, welcomed the cadres to the mainstream and said that the state government is working towards solving the problems of Dimasas.
It may be recalled that three top leaders of the outfit – chairman Etika Diphusa, general secretary Pritomjit Jigdung, and commander-in-chief Jirikson Halflongbar – had joined the mainstream on August 24, 2021.
This was again followed by the surrender of 67 cadres on November 24, 2021. Notably, the DNLA was formed in 2016 to fight for the liberation of Dimaraji – a separate homeland for the Dimasas.