Rebels surrender in India's Assam state

October 26, 2000
Web posted at: 8:51 AM HKT (0051 GMT)

GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) -- Sixty-eight rebels belonging to various separatist groups on Wednesday surrendered to the government in the troubled northeastern Indian state of Assam, an official said.

"Sixty-eight militants from various outfits surrendered to state chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta at Bilasipara in Dhubri district," a government spokesman told Reuters.

The rebels gave up a wide array of arms including AK series rifles, US-made carbines and hand grenades.

The majority of rebels were from the largest militant group in Assam, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the spokesman said.

ULFA has been seeking independence for the oil-and-tea rich state from the Indian Union as it accuses New Delhi of exploiting Assam's mineral resources while not doing enough for the local economy.

About 3,000 rebels from various separatist groups, mainly from ULFA, have surrendered to the Assam government in the last two years.

Assam with its 25 million inhabitants is the most populated of the several troubled northeastern states which are home to around 200 tribal groups as well as millions of settlers from other parts of India.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For more ASIANOW news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

See related sites about South Asia
South Asian media sites

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.