Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
Agartala, January 11 2009:
Twenty-four ultras of two outlawed outfits in Tripura have fled from their base camps in Bangladesh and surrendered before security forces in West Tripura district, police said today.
"Many more insurgents are waiting for an opportunity to escape from the camps and join the mainstream," the police said quoting the militants.
Among the militants who surrendered yesterday were 22 ultras of National Liberation Front Of Tripura (NLFT) and two hardcore militants of the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), the police said.
While the NLFT militants surrendered to the Commandant of 15th battalion of Assam Rifles at Hrangkhalpara, the ATTF ultras surrendered to the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Khowai subdivision.
The insurgents surrendered mainly for two reasons, a food crisis in the Bangladesh camps and non-payment by the leaders of the militant outfits to the rank and file, the police said.
The militants alleged that the leaders were leading a lavish lifestyle in the base camps.
Another reason prompting the ultras to escape was an apprehension of raids by Bangladesh army after the Awami League Government led by Sheikh Hasina came to power, the police said.
The NLFT ultras deposited three revolvers, two chinese grenades, live cartridges and some documents of the outfit.
The ATTF militants surrendered a Japanese wireless set, the police said.