New Delhi, Sep 15, 2022, By Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Sep 15 : In a significant development for the northeastern region, the Centre and the Assam government on Thursday signed a tripartite peace accord with eight Adivasi militant outfits of Assam.

 

Barring the Paresh Baruah-led hardline faction of the banned ULFA and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, all other rebel groups active in the state have now entered into peace agreements with the government.

 

Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present on the occasion on Thursday, called it an important day for Assam and the North East. 

 

“This is an important day for Assam and the North East. Many initiatives have been taken by the Modi govt to develop the North East region. Around 1100 persons of Adivasi outfits of Assam are surrendering arms and joining the mainstream today,” Shah said.

 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present during the signing of the peace agreement.

 

Notably, the agreement with eight Adivasi militant outfits was signed 10 years after the peace process started.

 

The eight rebel groups are Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People’s Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) and Santhali Tiger Force (STF).

 

BCF, APA, AANLA, ACMA and STF have been in a ceasefire with the government since 2012 and since then the cadres of the militant outfits are staying in designated camps.

 

Earlier, Sarma had held a meeting with rebel Adivasi groups regarding the final settlement.

 

In January 2020, Shah had presided over the signing of an agreement between the Centre, Assam and Bodo representatives in New Delhi to end the over 50-year-old Bodo crisis that has cost the region over 4,000 lives.

 

A total of 1,615 cadres of three National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) factions laid down their arms on January 30, 2020. Over 4,800 weapons, including AK 47 rifles, light-machine guns and stun guns, were laid down by the NDFB members at the time.