Itanagar, May 6: Two active members of the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) surrendered before security forces at Pangsu Pass in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday night, marking a notable development in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the Northeast.
The individuals were identified as Lekang Axom, also known as Ashok Sonowal (31), an SS Corporal from Mahadevpur in Arunachal Pradesh, and Nipen Axom, alias Biplav Buragohain (31), an SS Lance Corporal from Gohaingaon in Assam’s Dhemaji district.
According to sources, the two cadres had deserted the outfit’s General Headquarters at Ranu on May 3. They reportedly travelled on foot for several days before reaching the Pangsau security post, where they formally laid down arms.
Security agencies have begun questioning the surrendered cadres to extract intelligence regarding the outfit’s recent activities, organisational structure, and movements along the India-Myanmar border.
Officials view the development as part of sustained efforts to weaken insurgent networks in the region and encourage more members to abandon militancy and rejoin the mainstream.
