33 militants surrender, severe blow to ULFA

Tamulpur, Oct 23 (UNI) Altogether 31 ULFA militants today surrendered before the Army and Police authorities at the Tamulpur army camp here, near India-Bhutan border.

Two other Karbi militants also surrendered bringing the total number to 33, highest number of surrenders in the past three years.

The 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen B S Jaswal and Assam DGP R N Mathur were present during the surrender, which was also attended by senior officers of both Army and police, including State Intelligence Chief Khagen Sarma.

The surrendered ULFA militants are from 709, 109 and 27 battalion of the outfit, which is most active in central and lower Assam.

They cadres also laid down their arms, including one AK 47, one AK 56, one muzzle boring gun, 10 pistols, five grenades, same number of revolvers and magazines of AK 46 and some detonators.

''This is one of the major blow the ULFA has received in recent times,'' General Jaswal said after the surrender.

Talking to media both General Jaswal and DGP Mathur said situation in Assam had improved over the past few months. The dissension within the ULFA had resulted to the surrenders, they added.

UNI