Progress can never be made without peace, says CM Sarbananda Sonowal
* 64 militants of four insurgent outfits lay down their arms
GUWAHATI: In a major boost to realizing the State government's goal of making Assam insurgency-free and ushering lasting peace in the State, 64 militants of four insurgent outfits laid down their arms and joined the mainstream in front of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here on Monday.
The ultras who joined the mainstream on the occasion were 18 cadres of United Liberation Front of Assam (I) including self-styled deputy commander-in-chief Drishti Rajkhowa, self-styled commander-in-chief of the People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) Ong Teron, 32 members of the United People's Revolutionary Front (UPRF) and 13 cadres of the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA).
Welcoming the militants to the mainstream, Chief Minister Sonowal said, "Progress can never be made without peace. Nobody can live peacefully with a heart full of hatred. To take forward the society and family forward, those who took the path of violence must join the mainstream and contribute in nation building."
The Chief Minister further said that those who laid down their arms should now commit themselves for promoting brotherhood and friendship and contribute in nation building. He also called upon them to work hand-in-hand following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Team Assam' spirit to build the nation. The Chief Minister also urged all militants to shun the path of violence and join the path of peace and progress.
Sonowal also said that the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid a rich dividend as shown by the people's trust and confidence in his leadership. He added that realising the futility of arms rebellion, many members of most of the proscribed organizations have taken the decision to return to the mainstream.