Dibrugarh: A self-styled lieutenant of the NSCN-K (Khango Konyak) faction has laid down arms and surrendered before security forces in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district on Tuesday, giving a boost to peace efforts in the state’s Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) districts.The cadre was identified as Hewan Boham, 35, a resident of Olingtong village under Kanubari police station in Longding district. He surrendered at the Tirap superintendent of police’s office in Khonsa in an operation facilitated jointly by Tirap Police, 44 Assam Rifles and the 36 Battalion CRPF, Khonsa.During the process, the cadre handed over one 7.65 mm pistol and four live rounds of ammunition to the security personnel.“Every individual who chooses to leave the path of insurgency and return to mainstream society is a victory for peace in this region. We urge more misguided youth in the TCL districts to come forward and avail the rehabilitation opportunities being offered by the govt,” a senior police officer said.The TCL districts have witnessed insurgent activity linked to various Naga militant factions, including NSCN-K. However, sustained counterinsurgency operations and peace initiatives by security forces led to a decline in militant influence over recent years.The latest surrender adds to the growing list of cadres opting out of insurgency across the TCL belt, signalling a positive shift towards long-term peace and development in Arunachal Pradesh’s most sensitive border districts.Officials said Tirap police remain committed to maintaining peace and public safety in the region while extending complete support, including rehabilitation assistance, to former cadres willing to reintegrate into society.Authorities also appealed to residents of the TCL districts to report information about insurgent movements and encourage youths associated with militant outfits to embrace the surrender-and-rehabilitation process of the state govt.
