The militants informed that they had fled from their camps in the forest of neighbouring Bangladesh mainly for two reasons - food crisis in the Bangladesh camps and non-payment by the leaders of the militant outfits. They also feared that with the forming of the new democratic government in Bangladesh, there is every possibility of raids and anti-insurgency operations against Indian militants in Bangladesh.

One of the surrendered militants Gananta Reang (37), a self-styled Major in the NLFT (BM) said, “There were another 21 to 22 more camps in the area in Bangladesh where we had our camp. For our needs like arms and training we have our contacts in Thailand, Pakistan, Mizoram and also in Bangladesh.”

Another militant Kanchon Kumar Reang (25) who joined the NLF two years back and was a self-styled Lieutenant said, “In Bangladesh we can live freely, we can buy our daily required things from the market. The Bangladesh Rifles soldiers and army do not disturb us, there may be some understanding at the higher level but they don’t catch us unless we move in the open with arms.” He also added that, “There are camps of other Indian militants like Boro, NSCN, KYKR. We live jointly as we have the same motto – ‘we are guerillas’. If required, we go for joint training and also share weapons if there is a shortage.”

The militants deposited a 7.62 SLR with one magazine, a 303 rifle, one 12 bore gun, four revolvers, grenades, live cartridges, magazines and Bangladeshi currency notes.

Brigadier S B Asthana to whom the militants surrendered said, “The militants surrendered as they are always on the run due to the counterinsurgency operations going on jointly by different security forces in Tripura. Moreover, as the militants have lost their popular support among the people they are now facing a shortage of funds and recruits.”

This surrender has again proved that there are several camps of North East militants in Bangladesh territory, even though that nation denies this fact.

Reports say that militants belonging to various rebel groups in the North East have set up about 100 camps and hideouts in different parts of Bangladesh, especially in Sylhet district and Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Meanwhile, with this surrender, more than 70 militants including two top ranked ATTF cadres came back to the mainstream in Tripura in a week’s time and there are reports that a senior leader Ranjit Debbarma is also trying to contact authorities in Tripura to shun the path of violence and come back to normal life.