Guwahati, Dec 06: About 83 underground militants have so far laid down arms before the army in Nagaland during the current year, according to an official report here.
They deposited arms, including three US carbines, one AK-56 rifle, one AK 47 rifle, two mm automatic rifles, one machine gun (US), one M-22 rifle, two 303 rifle with radio set and assorted ammunition.
The surrendered militants have been reinstated into the Assam Rifles and a few have been given employment in various tea gardens and factories. Nearly Rs 1,04,418 was given as compensation to them, it said.
Speaking at a recent function where 11 underground cadres surrendered, Colonel Vikkal Sahani, commandant 16 Assam Rifles said the main reason for the surrender was the realisation of futility while working for the militant outfits.

Addressing the function, brigadier NN Madappa, Assam Rifle, described the event as home-coming of the misguided youth and lauded the determination and courage shown by the cadres.
The people of Nagaland had undergone violence and misery for half a century and time has come for all sections of the Naga society to persuade the disillusioned youth to give up violence and join the mainstream of life, he added. Bureau Report