Agartala, Tripura, September 24 (HBTV): Approximately 500 militants belonging to four major factions of two rebel groups National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have surrendered. They joined the mainstream in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on September 24, Tuesday.   

An official ceremony was conducted at the headquarters of the 7th Battalion Tripura State Rifles at Jampuijala under Sepahijala district. Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said that his government had made significant efforts to bring lasting peace to the state. He appreciated the role of central government in ending militant activities in the North East. He said as many as 10 peace accords have been signed out of which three were related to Tripura.

Militant leader Biswamohan Debbarma later told media persons that a total of 300 cadres of his faction were joining the mainstream today. Prasenjit Tripura, leader of another faction of the NLFT, said his organisation would soon organise a flag-down ceremony before the Durga Puja.