New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) A tripartite peace agreement 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.
In his address, the Home Minister said that in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a peaceful and prosperous North East, this agreement will prove to be another important milestone in the direction of making North-East extremism free by 2025.
Shah said that as per today's agreement, it is the responsibility of the Government of India and Assam to fulfill the political, economic and educational aspirations of the Adivasi groups.
He said that in the agreement, provisions have been made to protect the social, cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity of Adivasi groups as well as to further strengthen them.
Shah said the agreement also provides for the establishment of a Tribal Welfare and Development Council with a view to ensure speedy and focused development of tea gardens.
He said that the agreement also provides for rehabilitation and resettlement of armed cadres and measures for the welfare of tea garden workers. A special development package of Rs1,000 crore (Rs 500 crore each by Government of India and Government of Assam) will be provided over a period of five years for infrastructure development in villages/areas with tribal population.
The Home Minister said that since 2014, around 8,000 insurgents have joined the mainstream of society by laying down their arms, expressing their confidence in several steps taken by PM Narendra Modi for peace and prosperity of the North East.
"It is the record of the Narendra Modi-government that of all the accords we signed , we implemented almost 93 per cent," Shah said as he assured all support to 16 signatories representing the rebel groups all support from his government.
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.
"It's a huge milestone for Assam as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Assam government, Government of India and eight Adivasi groups. According to the MoU, they will get a Tribal welfare council under which a budget will be provided to them," Assam CM told reporters here.
Earlier, Union Minister and Assam MP Teli said," This is a 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 SHK2033