1,615 NDFB cadres lay down arms in Assam

Altogether 1,615 cadres of three NDFB factions on Thursday laid down arms here before Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The move comes three days after the Centre and the Assam government signed a peace accord with Bodo organisations - NDFB and All Bodo Students' Union - with Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that the agreement will usher in a "golden future" for the state and its people.

Welcoming the cadres -- 836 of the NDFB-Progressive, 579 of the NDFB-Ranjan Daimary faction and 200 of the NDFB(S) led by B Saoraigwra -- to join mainstream, Sonowal said he was confident that the move will inspire others, who were yet to give up arms, to come together and work for "Team Assam".

Over 4,800 weapons, including AK rifles, light-machine guns and sten guns, were laid down by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) members on the occasion.

"We will have to work together for Team Assam to make it a front-runner state in India and the whole of South East Asia. By giving up the path of violence you have come forward to walk on the road of development," Sonowal said.

He insisted that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and our Assam government, along with you, will ensure peace and development in Bodo areas".

If the Bodo society progresses, Assam will also progress, the chief minister claimed.

Asserting that the cadres laying down arms on Martyrs' Day "proves that they want peace in Assam", he said, "We are one. Bharat Mata ki Jai should be our slogan from now on. If Bodo society progresses, Assam also progresses.