39 ULFA rebels surrender in Assam
30 Aug 2008, 1022 Hrs

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Rangia (Assam), Aug 30 (ANI): As many as 39 militants of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have surrendered to the army in Assam's Kamrup District.

ULFA rebels laid down their arms before Major General Chander Prakash of the army's Red Horn Division following a surrender ceremony on Friday.

"Majority is from 709 (battalion, active in Lower Assam). So, days of peace are very closer," Major General Chander Prakash claimed.

"We initially joined for independence of our homeland, but later saw that the government is not accepting to our demands," said Deepak, a surrendered rebel.

ULFA is a militant group from Assam, which started in 1979.

The rebel groups accuse New Delhi of plundering the region's rich mineral and forest resources, neglecting economy and giving them back nothing in return. The Government of India had banned the organization in 1990 and classified it as a terrorist group. (ANI)