Four ULFA-I cadres surrender in Longding ahead of Independence Day
Four ULFA-I cadres surrendered before security forces in Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh, with pistols and live ammunition recovered. Authorities said the
Four cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) surrendered before security forces in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district on Friday. The surrender took place ahead of Independence Day, officials said.
They laid down their arms at Wakka before the 44 Assam Rifles and Longding Police. Security personnel also recovered four pistols and 17 rounds of live ammunition from their possession.
Surrender before Assam Rifles and Longding Police
The four individuals were identified as self-styled SS LC Ajay Asom (33), SS LC Biplob Asom (31), SS LC Monei Asom (28), and SS Pvt Bolin Asom (22). Officials said the group is undergoing interrogation and verification after the surrender.
Verification and rehabilitation steps
Police said the authorities are coordinating with security agencies to complete the verification process. After that, the surrendered cadres will be brought under the government’s rehabilitation programme, officials added. The investigation is expected to clarify their roles and activities within ULFA-I.
A senior Assam Rifles official said the surrender reflects growing disillusionment among cadres with ULFA-I’s ideology and the increasing effectiveness of security forces’ outreach efforts in the region. The development also comes as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts and measures to encourage militants in eastern Arunachal to return to the mainstream.
Officials pointed to similar surrenders in the area. In March this year, self-styled ULFA-I second lieutenant Bitul Baruah (31) surrendered in neighbouring Tirap district following a joint operation by Tirap Police, the CRPF and Assam Rifles. A pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him. As part of broader rehabilitation work in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, authorities said 165 militants have surrendered over the past six years, and rehabilitation at a dedicated facility in Bhismaknagar became operational in January 2025.
