Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 25
Three cadres of the NSCN (K) today surrendered to State government authorities in the presence of the Assam Rifles. The cadres, whose identities were not disclosed for their safety, laid down weapons in a public function held at the Deputy Commissioner Office complex, Peren on January 25.
According to the Assam Rifles, it was an unconditional surrender facilitated after the cadres through their families expressed their wish to eschew violence and “join the mainstream.”
The cadres, two in their 20s and one in his late teens, laid down three pistols along with ammunition and a grenade in front of the Peren Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police and the Commandant of the 18 Assam Rifles. It was witnessed by a host of civil society representatives.
Two of the cadres had joined the NSCN (K) in 2009 and the third in 2011. The Assam Rifles stated that the surrendered cadres got disillusioned after realising the futility of violence. “Life was hard in the jungle and at times we regretted for our acts against our own people,” the AR quoted the cadres as stating.
One of the cadres told, with face covered, that he was inspired to join the NSCN (K) after hearing stories from friends. He said that the initial impression was of a free, fun and adventurous life only to realise later on that it was not so. “Life was hard. I couldn’t take it anymore,” he told the media following the formal surrender ceremony. The interaction with the media however was restricted to a couple of minutes citing security concerns.
The Commandant of the 18 AR, Col. Vivek Puri while describing the surrender as “historic” stated that the three had shown great courage and wisdom in their decision.
For the rehabilitation of the cadres, the AR stated that they will be imparted vocational training to enable them to earn a livelihood. For a start, the cadres were handed away vocational tool kits.
As for the Nagaland Government, it has no rehabilitation programme. The Deputy Commissioner stated that the government had such a programme initially which, however, has been discontinued. Asked on the role of the State government for the rehabilitation of the three cadres, the DC said that for the interim, the AR will be taking care of their security and transition to normal life.
