67 Dimasa National Liberation Army rebels surrender, deposit cache of arms

GUWAHATI: A total of 67 cadres of the banned Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) militant outfit surrendered on Thursday and deposited a large cache of arms and ammunition, officials said.

The DNLA militants laid down their arms and ammunition before Additional Director General of Police, Special Branch, Hiren Nath and Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council Chief Executive Member, Tuliram Ronghang, during a ceremony held at Dhansiripar in the Karbi Anglong district.

Chief Minister Himanata Biswa Sarma, welcoming the extremists into the mainstream, tweeted: "Committing themselves to the dream of PM & HM of progressive and peaceful Assam, I am glad to share that 67 cadres of DNLA laid down weapons today at Dhansiripar, Karbi Anglong".

The DNLA extremists have deposited two AK-47 rifles, nine pistols, nine locally made improvised guns, and over 300 cartridges. The DNLA had announced a ceasefire in September, and then 46 cadres of the group had surrendered on November 13.

DNLA leaders Ithika Diphusa and Musrang Dimasa said that 50 more cadres of the outfit would surrender in the Cachar district. The DNLA, which was formed in 2018 to demand a sovereign and independent Dimasa nation, reportedly carried out extortion and abduction activities in Dima Hasao and the adjoining Karbi Anglong districts. The Dima Hasao district, formerly North Cachar District, one of Assam's three hill districts, was earlier a hotbed of militant activities, but in recent years, has not seen any major extremist violence. (IANS)

Also Read:  Dimasa National Liberation Army rebel among 3 killed

Also Watch: