New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) A tripartite peace accord was signed by the Centre and Assam government with five Adivasi militant outfits and three splinter groups from the state at North Block here on Thursday, in a bid to further ensure peace and harmony in the Northeastern state.
The peace pact was signed in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Union Minister Rameswar Teli, State DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and other dignitaries were also present.
The five 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 Santhal Tiger Force (STF) and the remaining three outfits are splinter groups of BCF, AANLA and ACMA.
"It is the record of the Narendra Modi-govt that all the accords we signed , we implemented almost 93 per cent," Shah said in his address as he assured all support to 16 signatories representing the rebel groups all support from his government.
The Adivasi armed groups have agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by law of the land.
The peace pact also provides for rehabilitation of cadres of the armed groups.
The BCF, APA, AANLA, ACMA and STF have been in a ceasefire with the government since 2016 and since then the cadres of the militant outfits are living in designated camps.
A total of 1,182 cadres of the five militant groups and three factions laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream.
Meanwhile, Union Minister and Assam MP Teli said," This is historic day for Assam as 8 eight Adivasi insurgent groups from the State signed a peace accord. These groups were under ceasefire."
"This is a historic day. We are hopeful. Today 16 signatories from 8 rebel groups were present . We are hopeful of our overall development with this accord," said one of the signatories.
UNI DS SY SHK1846