GUWAHATI, March 3— The State Government has submitted a proposal to the Centre for creation of two India Reserve Police Battalions with surrendered militants, but the response of the Centre is awaited. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Home Rockeybul Hussain in reply to a question by Sri Zoii Nath Sarma in the State Assembly today.
The Minister said that so far 8,798 militants including 7,618 belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and 317 belonging to the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) surrendered in the State. He said that the Central Government scheme for rehabilitation of surrendered militants is being implemented in the State with effect from April 1, 1998. During the period from 1998 to 2003, January, altogether 3332 militants surrendered in the State, of which, 1590 returned home and the remaining 1742 joined the rehabilitation camps to get the benefits of the Central scheme. He revealed that as per the scheme, the surrendered militants get a monthly stipend of Rs two thousand per month for 12 months during their stay in the rehabilitation camps. They also get money for the arms and ammunition deposited by them at the time of surrender.
Sri Hussain informed the House that during their stay in the rehabilitation camps, the surrendered militants are given training on self employment avenues by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurs, State Institute of Rural Development, Veterinary Department, Agriculture University etc.
The Minister disclosed that the Government has allotted lands to surrendered militants in some districts to go for cooperative farming. However, they are facing problems due to shortage of funds and the State Government has been requesting the Centre to provide about Rs 20 to 25 thousand as margin money so that they can form cooperatives. But the response of the Centre to the proposal is awaited.