GUWAHATI: Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that a substantial number of former militants, totalling 8,756, have successfully undergone rehabilitation in the state over the past two years.
Sharing the statistics on his social media account on Thursday, Sarma highlighted the positive progress made by the government in integrating individuals from different militant groups into the mainstream.
The Chief Minister disclosed that among the rehabilitated, the largest group consisted of 4,203 cadres from the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).
Following closely were 1,926 members from various Karbi militant organizations, and 1,182 individuals associated with Adivasi extremist groups.
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“Inspired by Honorable Prime Minister’s vision, a large number of militants have shunned the path of violence and decided to help us build a new Assam,” expressed Sarma in his post on the social media platform.
Highlighting the success of the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy, he cited contribution of the Swavalamban scheme in providing skill development training to the ex-militants.
“Through these, they have received skill development training and are now leading a dignified life,” he added.
The Swavalamban scheme, a co-contributory Pension Scheme initiated by the Centre, aims to encourage individuals from the unorganised sector to voluntarily save for their retirement.
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This initiative also plays a crucial role in reducing the cost of operations associated with the New Pension System (NPS) for the subscribers.
Of late, the government has intensified its efforts to integrate former militants from the state into mainstream society.
Earlier on October 8, Chief Minister Sarma, while distributing financial aid to 1,181 surrendered Adivasi insurgents at an event in Guwahati, had declared that over the past 17 months, 7,229 insurgents in the state have renounced violence and joined the mainstream since May 2021.
Again a few days later, Assam’s Director General of Police (DGP), GP Singh, had told the press that the government will withdraw pending cases against former members of disbanded militant outfits such as NDFB and National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NLFB) in the next six months.
