Guwahati, 6 July: Around 1,100 members of eight Adivasi rebel organisations are slated to officially surrender their weapons and ammo on July 6. Since these parties signed a peace pact with the federal and state governments in September of last year, the arms-laying ceremony which will be attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma represents a significant turning point.
All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam (ACMA), Adivasi People’s Army (APA), Birsa Commando Force (BCF), BCF (BT), Santhal Tiger Force and All Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANNLA) are among the Adivasi rebel organisations that would take part in the arms surrender ceremony. Since 2016, these organisations have been in a ceasefire; their decision to put down their weapons shows that they are committed to peace and the democratic process.
The arms-laying ceremony will take place following an oath-taking ceremony for the Adivasi Welfare and Development Council’s office holders. As part of the peace deal, a council has been established to oversee the rapid and focused growth of tea gardens as well as policies for the welfare and relocation of armed cadres and tea garden workers.
In 2020, 1,615 members of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) from all four factions disarmed in front of the then-chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The armed Adivasi groups have agreed, in accordance with the principles of the peace deal, to renounce violence, uphold the rule of law, and actively participate in the democratic process. In exchange, the federal and state governments have promised to take care of their requests and aspirations in the areas of politics, economics, social issues and education.
The Assam government has offered money to 6,740 cadre members of various militant groups who have renounced violence and assimilated. The State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development (SIPRD) has also provided vocational training in a number of areas including business and agriculture to more than 3,000 former militants.
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