New Delhi: A tripartite peace accord was signed with eight tribal outfits by the centre and the Assam government on Thursday.
The accord was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The accord was signed after 10 years of the beginning of the peace process.
The eight rebel tribal groups include 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) and the remaining three outfits are splinter groups of BCF, AANLA, and ACMA.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma said, “I am sure signing of the agreement will usher in a new era of peace and harmony in Assam,”.
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) 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 in January, a total of 246 insurgents of two militant groups of the state laid down their weapons and joined the mainstream.
Amit Shah further added that “This is an important day for Assam and the North East. Many initiatives have been taken by the Modi government to develop the North East region. Around 1100 persons of Adivasi outfits of Assam are surrendering arms and joining the mainstream today.”
He further said that “We want Assam and the North East region should be drug-free, terrorism-free, dispute-free and fully developed.” He further added that the government is working towards the goal.
(With Agency Inputs)