In a big development, eight insurgents belonging to two factions of the NSCN surrendered before the police in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district on Tuesday.
Among them were five NSCN-KYA insurgents and three from the NSCN-R faction, Longding’s Deputy Superintendent of Police B Tangjang said.
A formal surrender ceremony was conducted at the DC office in Longding and certificates were handed to the surrendered militants.
Police sources have confirmed that the cadres were engaged in extortion and collection of taxes, and held influential positions in the outfits. Earlier, several insurgent leaders had joined the mainstream in a blow to the activities of the underground outfits in the region.
The surrendered NSCN-KYA cadres include self-styled ‘lance corporal’ Nyaipho Gangsa, ‘sergeant’ Wangkiak Wangsa and ‘privates’ Bowgang Gangsa, Alem Wangpan and Banthak Wangpan.
The rebels from NSCN-R who laid down their arms are self-styled ‘sergeant’ KhuapohWangpan, ‘corporal’ Nokthat Wangpan and ‘private’ WangjepWangsu, added the DSP.
The militants laid down their arms in the presence of Superintendent of Police Vikram HM Meena.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
In total, around 1,200-1,400 houses primarily belonging to Bengali-speaking Muslims, were demolished during the eviction…