1,179 Bru militants of two outfits surrendered in Assam’s Hailakandi district.
Director General of Police (Special Branch) Hiren Chandra Nath said the surrendered rebels belonged to United Democratic Liberation Front of Barak Valley (UDLF-BV) and Bru Revolutionary Army of Union (BRAU). Two gangs active in the area near the Assam-Mizoram border kept AK series rifles, M16 rifles and other firearms besides more than 400 cartridges. A total of 634 members of BRAU led by Rajesh Charki and 545 UDLF-BV militants led by Dhanyaram Rayang surrendered during the day, Nath said.
“The peace process with these two groups had been underway since 2017. There were some differences, but under the guidance of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we could convince them to come to the negotiating table,” said by a senior police officer.
According to sources, the BRAU has also presented a charter of demands addressed to the Chief Minister, seeking land and Scheduled Tribe (Plain) status for the community under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in the state.