Itanagar: Four cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) surrendered before security forces in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district on Friday, ahead of Independence Day. Security personnel also recovered four pistols and 17 rounds of live ammunition from their possession, officials said.
The cadres laid down their arms before the 44 Assam Rifles and Longding Police at Wakka. They were identified as self-styled SS LC Ajay Asom (33), SS LC Biplob Asom (31), SS LC Monei Asom (28), and SS Pvt Bolin Asom (22).
A senior Assam Rifles official said the surrender reflects the growing disillusionment among cadres with the outfit’s ideology and the increasing effectiveness of security forces’ outreach efforts in the region.
“The surrender reflects the growing disillusionment among cadres with the outfit’s failing ideology and the increasing effectiveness of our outreach efforts in the region,” the official said.
Officials said the four surrendered cadres are currently undergoing interrogation and verification. Further details regarding their roles and activities within ULFA-I are expected to emerge during the investigation.
A Longding Police official said the authorities are coordinating with security agencies to complete the verification process, following which the surrendered cadres will be brought under the government’s rehabilitation programme.
The latest surrender comes amid sustained counter-insurgency operations and efforts to encourage militants operating in the eastern districts of Arunachal Pradesh to return to the mainstream.
In March this year, self-styled ULFA-I second lieutenant Bitul Baruah (31) surrendered in neighbouring Tirap district following a joint operation by Tirap Police, the CRPF and Assam Rifles. A pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The latest development is also part of a broader effort to rehabilitate militants in the Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. Officials said that 165 militants have surrendered across the three districts over the past six years. Those who have laid down arms are being rehabilitated at a dedicated facility in Bhismaknagar, which became operational in January 2025.
Authorities said the rehabilitation process for the four newly surrendered cadres will begin shortly in accordance with the existing government policy aimed at facilitating their reintegration into mainstream society.
Also Read | What six months in Dzongu taught me about craft, community and time