Agartala: Seventy-two insurgents of a faction of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), including 22 females, led by its general secretary Montu Koloy surrendered to Tripura Governor D N Sahaya today (May 6, 2004).

The ultras deposited one AK rifle, one stengun, one carbine, six 303 rifles, one Chinese rifle, two revolvers, one rocket shell, five country-made guns, two country-made pistols, three wireless sets and 212 ammunition.

Koloy said as bloodshed has not served any purpose, by surrendering we shall be doing a lot of good to the people of the State and hailed the Constitution of India as an ideal framework that ensures development with harmony.

Another NLFT group led by Biswamohan attacked their camp on hearing the news that they planned to go overground, he said.

Koloy appealed to the Biswamohan group and also the proscribed insurgent outfit All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) to come overground and "spread the message of peace and love".

Governor Sahaya said senseless killings and kidnappings were hampering the developmental initiatives and progress of Tripura.

The return to normal life by the insurgents will have a welcome impact on the development of the state as a whole and the tribal areas in particular, he added.

Director General of Police G M Srivastav said the insurgents would be sent to different camps to undergo vocational training to be later absorbed in Government jobs.

The Montu Koloy faction has signed a tri-partite peace agreement with the Centre and the State Government in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in New Delhi on April 15 last.