Jorhat (Assam): Sixteen hardcore militants, 15 from the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and one from Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA), today (Dec 31, 2003) surrendered before the commander of 41 sub-area Brigadier S N Sethia in Jorhat.

The militants surrendered with a pistol, two revolvers, one improvised explosive device (IED), three detonators, four grenades, two rounds of AK-47 ammunitions and several documents.

Jorhat deputy commissioner Dr Ravi Kota and superintendent of police P C Saloi were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier Sethia said the surrender of 16 militants would be a big blow to the banned outfit operating in upper Assam.

He said it was high time that these misguided youths gave up the path of senseless violence and join the national mainstream and contribute to the development of the State.

He urged the militants languishing in jungle to contact their nearest Army post and surrender to them and assured them that they will be treated with respect and their safety will be ensured with the help of district administration.

Bhaskar Bordoloi, who surrendered today, said he had come down from Bhutan in last June and due to communication gap between senior and junior cadres, the strength of the outfit was decreasing.

He said several hundreds of cadres had sneaked into Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland after the first quit notice was served by the Royal Bhutan Government.