23 Members of Bodo Militant Outfit NLFB Surrender Including 'Most-Wanted' Leader M Batha

GUWAHATI: 23 members of the National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NLFB), an extremist group formed five months ago in the Bodo Territorial Region (BTR), surrendered in Udalguri district's Lalpani on Thursday.

According to reports, the surrendered militants — including the outfit's chief M Batha alias Binod Mushahary — were received by the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Pramod Boro, Assam's Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, Chief Minister's political advisor Jayanta Malla Baruah and Special DGP (Law and Order) GP Singh.

"People's trust on the Govt policies is reflected by NLFB's decision to return to the mainstream today. I welcome their homecoming. We reiterate our commitment for all-round the development of Bodoland and to protect the unique socio-cultural and political identity of Bodo people," tweeted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister on his Twitter handle also wrote, "The CM exuded confidence that this will usher in peace & a new era of development in Assam. BTR Chief Shri Pramod Boro, @DGPAssamPolice Shri BJ Mahanta, Spl DGP Shri GP Singh, Spl DGP Shri LR Bishnoi were also present at the meeting."

"After laying down arms and returning to the mainstream, NLFB cadres led by its chief M Batha met CM Dr @himantabiswa. The CM welcomed their move and assured that the Govt will reciprocate positively." the tweet added.

While Batha, who was earlier with the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), had laid down arms along with 1,615 insurgents of the NDFB in January 2020 (after the signing of the third Bodo Peace Accord), he later went underground and in March 2021, announced the formation of the NLFB. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency had added him to their 'most-wanted list and announced a Rs 10 lakh reward for his capture.