FAREWELL TO ARMS

The present phase of insurgency is dominated by two extremist outfits namely National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). Both are having links with other militant outfits of the North-East. The experience of counter insurgency operations in the State clearly indicate that the key to success against the extremist outfits lies in the ability of the local Police to face the problem. The Police are the only force which know the local people, their problems, lifestyles and the weaknesses which would put them to a greater advantage than the other forces. In Tripura, the local Police and the TSR have been now taking a primary roll in counter insurgency operations. Details of surrender took place in the year 2004 to September 2005 are given below:-

SURRENDER OF KAMINI - MANTU KOLAI FACTION OF NLFT.

Peace initiatives by Central and State Governments achieved major success when one of the major groups of extremists operating in Tripura of NLFT led by Kamini Deb Barma and Mantu Kolai decided to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream in their effort to find solution to the decade old problem of insurgency in the State through peace talks. On 06-05-2004 a total of 72-militants led by Kamini and Mantu Kolai formally surrendered before H.E. Governor of Tripura, D.N. Sahay and deposited arms & ammunition at a simple ceremony organized at A.D. Nagar Police line. Among the 72 extremists, 22- are female cadres, 37- male cadres, 7- field commanders and 6- top leaders. The top leaders were Vice president Kamini Deb Barma , General Secretary Mantu Kolai, Finance Secretary Bishmi Prasad Jamatia, Assistant Finance Secretary Dhanu Kolai, Chief of Army Staff Binoy Deb Barma, Deputy Chief of Army Sanjit Deb Barma, Lieutenant Kinoy Kolai @ Able and field commanders B. Nagrai, D. Kolai and Malaity Reang.

The following arms were deposited by the militants:-

SLR-3, AK rifle-1, 303 rifles-6, Stengun-1, Revolver-2, Carbine-1, Country made gun-5, Shell rocket-1, Country made pistol-2, Grenade-1, Country made revolver-2, Wireless sets-3, and ammunition 212.
On this occasion Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahay urged the other extremist groups to follow the path of Mantu Kolai and return to the mainstream. He said, "The insurgent outfits should realize that senseless killings, kidnapping and abductions are hitting the interest of tribal pockets all the more".

Director General of Police G.M. Srivastava appealed to other militant groups to follow suit and join the path of peace. Mr. Srivastava while interacting with reporters told that peace talks will herald a new phase in the State. Teacher turned General Secretary of NLFT (BM) faction Mantu Kolai appealed to all sections of society, while addressing the surrender ceremony, to forget his past record and forgive him for his misdeeds. He urged Biswa Mohan @ Baithang, President of NLFT (BM) to follow his foot steps and join the mainstream to make a society based on love instead of fear, arms and bullets. He further added that other extremist groups like ATTF (TPDF) should also come over ground and return home leaving behind the jungle life.
Affirming faith in the constitution of India he said, "We have realized after a decade that constitution of India is an ideal frame work to live with communal harmony and development especially for the weaker sections. He accepted that some of his colleagues have deviated from their cherished goal of Borok People's development and indulged in unnecessary bloodshed leading an indiscipline life. "As a result there is an atmosphere of distrust" observed Kolai.

SURRENDER OF PABAN DEBBERMA (ATTF) - JABAMOHAN JAMATIA (NLFT)

Having realized the futility of armed struggle, 39 extremists of ATTF & NLFT (BM) have approached the Police in the last couple of months. On 30-10-04 the Director General of Police, Tripura at the head quarters, Agartala, has accepted their formal surrender. Out of 39 extremists 14 are from ATTF (Group Leader Paban Debbarma) & 25 from NLFT (BM) (Group Leader Jaba Mohan Jamatia). They have also deposited 14 arms (04-AK- Rifles, 05-SLRs, 02-9mm carbines, 02- FM Revolvers, 01- CM Gun, 03- Grenades, 21- Magazines and 999- Rounds.

Reasons for surrender: -

1. Frustration of extremists lives (No food, no sleep, insecurity of life, no future).
2. Acute financial crunch.
3. Ill-treatment of bosses / loss of confidence in the leadership.
4. They have failed to believe the ideology of freedom through arms struggle.
5. Forceful conversion.
6. Extensive mobilization of forces all over Tripura, movements have been restricted and unable to collect extortion from villagers.
7. Lack of support of local population.

Because of the above reasons the extremist cadres became very frustrated. So the above extremists have surrendered. According to them more extremists are likely to surrender in the near future. The surrendered extremists have decided to abide by the Constitution of India & lead a peaceful life.

LAYING DOWN OF ARMS BY NLFT (NB) DECEMBER 25,2004 A.D. Nagar, Agartala.

In pursuance of the Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) signed between the Government of India, the Government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (Nayan Bashi) on December 17, 2004 at New Delhi, NLFT (NB) has formally laid down arms and returned to the mainstream. 10 senior leaders and 128 cadres along with 14 weapons, 15 magazines and 493 rounds of ammunition have presented themselves before His Excellency, the Governor of Tripura. The details of weapons are- 7.62 LMGs- 2 Nos 7.62 SLRs- 6 Nos, .303 Rifles- 3 Nos, AK 56 Rifle- 2 No, AK 66 Rifles-3 Nos, CM Pistol with spring action- 1 No. The ammunition consisted of 360 rds of 9mm, 178 rds of 7.62, 75 rds of AK and 6 rds of .303 of the 21 magazines, 5 were of SLR, 3 were of .303, 5 of AK series and 2 were of LMG. The senior NLFT (NB) leaders included Buchuk Borok (SS senior vice President), Barthalmai Borok (SS Vice President), Aaron Borok (SS Prime Minister), Daniel Borok (SS Minister), David Borok (SS Minister), Salka Borok (SS Minister), Joan Borok (SS Minister), Bangla Borok (SS Chief of Army), and Amon Borok (SS Personal Secretary to Nayan Bashi Jamatia).

His Excellency, the Governor of Tripura was the Chief Guest. Honorable Ministers Shri Anil Sarkar, Shri Keshab Majumder and Shri Jiten Choudhury were the Special Guests. The Chief Secretary, the DGP, Addl. DGP (L&O), Addl. DGP (Modernization) and other senior officials of the state and central Governments were present on the occasion. The NLFT (NB) leaders and cadres took and oath to abide by the Constitution of India after laying down the arms. His Excellency, the Governor and the other speakers welcomed the NLFT (NB) surrenderees to join the mainstream and be partners in the overall development of the state. Buchuk Borok, SS Senior Vice President of NLFT (NB) sought the help of the people of Tripura in their effort to join the mainstream. Before the start of the function, one minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed national leaders Shri PV Narasimaha Rao, former Prime Minister and Shri Nipen Chakrabarty, former Chief Minister of Tripura.

LAYING DOWN OF ARMS BY NLFT & ATTF ON SEPTEMBER 02,2005 AT A.D. Nagar, Agartala.

A significant improvement in the prospect of peace and prosperity in this picturesque but militancy ravaged state of Tripura is in the offing as more and more number of underground cadres of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tribal Force (ATTF) are defying the dictates of their leaders and are saying farewell to arms. The yearning for peace among the disillusioned cadres and leaders of these outfits is so strong that in Dhalai District alone, in last 15 days more than 20 cadres of dreaded NLFT- Biswamohan faction returned to the mainstream with a large cache of weapons after a hitter internecine feud in which reportedly three cadres were killed.
On Sept, 2, 2005 86 cadres (NLFT- Biswamohan faction-56, ATTF-30) are formally laying down their arms in a simple ceremony being held in A.D. Nagar Police lines, Agartala. These returnees have been in contact with the state police and other paramilitary organizations- Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF and had expressed their desire to come over-ground in past few months. After due verification and screening, the ceremony of Sept. 2, 2005 marks their formal return to the mainstream. The returnees are taking an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India in future and to eschew violence in all forms.
The state police headed by the Director General of police Sri. G.M. Srivastava and Security Force personnel deployed in the counter insurgency grid in the state are seeing these developments as a combination of twin factors of sustained and concerted anti -militancy operations involving the state and paramilitary force as well as Assam Rifles and the frustration that has set in the ranks and file of the militants due to internal dissension, inability of the militants to extort money at will and a massive disparity in the living standards of the cadres and leaders of the militant groups especially in their camps in Bangladesh.

Return of such a large number of cadres, especially after surrender of 322 cadres in 2004, which had included coming over ground of a majority of NLFT -BM leadership under Mantu Kolai and Kamini Debbarma in May 2004 and an entire faction of NLFT after a 8 month long ceasefire in Dec-2004 is a reflection of the attrition within the groups and a deep sense of frustration.
The cadres who are returning to the mainstream have deposited a large number of weapons/articles which included:-
1. LMG-13
2. AK Series rifle-13
3. SLR-11
4. Chinese rifles-2
5. Pistol/Revolver-7
6. Granade-23
7. 12" mortar -1
8. Assorted ammunitions-2230 rounds
9. Magazine-36
10. Wireless set-03
11. Mobile phone- 2
12. Detonator-4
13. Explosive wire-1 ft.

The MHA has formulated a new surrender - cum - rehabilitation package which provides for sufficient incentives to the returnees to start a normal life. With all possible help from the state government, successful rehabilitation of these militants would be ensured.

The Security Forces are resolved to further intensify their anti-militancy operations to establish an era of peace and ensure development, especially in the interior areas. At the same time return of such a large number of cadres is a strong message to the remaining militants living a difficult jungle life and chasing an inherently flawed dream of a So-called Independent Tripura outside the ambit of the Indian Constitution- to follow suit and join the national mainstream.


BRIEF NOTE ON SURRENDER CEREMONY ON 2ND JANUARY 2006 AT POLICE HQS, TRIPURA AGARTALA.

33 Militants of different out fits have decided to abjure violence, bid farewell to arms and finally laid down the arms to Shri G.M. Sriastava, IPS , Director General of Police, Tripura on 2nd January, 2006 at 1200 hrs at Police HQs in a simple ceremony. Many high officials of CPOs and State Police were present to witness the ceremony.

Of 33 surrendered militants, 24 are of " National Liberation Front of Twipra" (NLFT) (Biswamohan group) while eight are of "All Tiger Force" (ATTF) and one (women cadre) is of " National Liberation Front of Twipra" (NLFT) (Jashua group). She is Smt Sadhana Deb Barma, wife of Jeshgua @ Jogendra Deb Barma.

The ultras deposited AK Rifles- 05 Nos, SLR- 04 Nos. Pistols /Revolvers -04 Nos, Hand Grenade -10 Nos, Rounds-817 Nos, Magzine-27 Nos and Country made gun-03 Nos.

The extremists who surrendered on 02-01-2006 took Oath of Secrecy and solemnly affirmed their allegiance to the Constitution of India and promised to live in the society as peace loving citizens of India and to bide by all Rules and Regulations established by laws.