Five Assam Adivasi extremist groups along with three factions laid down their arms

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Guwahati. The extremist groups that laid down their arms are ACMA (Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam) and ACMA factional group, AANLA (All Adivasi National Liberation Army) and AANLA factional group, BCF (Bircha Commando Force) and BCF factional group, APA (Adivasi People’s Army) and STF (Santhal Tiger Force). Altogether 1182 cadres of the eight groups laid down their arms which included 304 sophisticated arms and 1460 rounds of ammunition.

These Adivasi extremist organizations surrendered before the government on 24 January, 2012 and later on signed the agreement of Suspension of Operation (SoO) on 4 October, 2016. Since the signing of SoO agreement, several rounds of talks took place between these groups and the government. Subsequently on 15 September, 2022, the Adivasi Accord was signed between these groups and the Government of India and Government of Assam.

After signing of the Adivasi Accord and in pursuance of Clause 3 of the Accord, on 22 May, 2023, Government of Assam constituted a 16 member Adivasi Welfare and Development Council. Today along with the arms laying down ceremony, the members of the Council led by its Chairman Ashim Hasda took oath, as Secretary, Tribal Affairs (Plain), Social Justice and Empowerment Binita Pegu administered them oath in front of the Chief Minister. Sarma said, “Our efforts of brining all disgruntled elements to the peace process has yielded dividend as eight Adivasi extremist groups laid down their arms to come to the main stream of the society.

It is an important day for strengthening peace in Assam and taking along everybody on board towards the forward march of the state”. The Chief Minister on the occasion also appealed to ULFA (I) for talks. He said, “In Assam when all the