edited by: Abhro Banerjee
Last Update: January 26, 2023, 11:00 AM IST
Guwahati [Gauhati]India
Some ex-cadres learn weaving. (Pic: News18)
These women are mostly from remote places of Karbi Anglong, Biswanath Chari Ali and Dima Hasao. They surrendered and signed an agreement with the Government of India and the Government of Assam and disbanded themselves
A group of 26 women from a batch of ceasefire cadres of various insurgent groups in Assam have chosen to thread on guns. The women, who were once active cadres of various militant groups like PDCK, DNLA, UPLA and wielding rifles from hiding in the dense forests of Assam, are now busy weaving traditional garments for various tribes of Assam.
These women are mostly from remote places of Karbi Anglong, Biswanath Chari Ali and Dima Hasao. He surrendered and signed an accord with the government of India and dissolved the government of Assam and himself.
To rehabilitate them, the Assam Police organized a special training to teach them weaving of traditional garments.
In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, ADGP Hiren Nath said, ‘So far a total of 1,926 former Karbi militants have surrendered. It is our duty to rehabilitate them. That is why we provided 3 months training to 26 women at KVIC Weaving Center at Kumarikata in Tamulpur district. Their training has been completed recently. The main objective is to enable them not only to get employment but also to generate employment. This training has also brought about a tremendous mental change in him.”
The official said that since these women belonged to different militant groups, they were extremely tough when they first surrendered and came.
“Initially, he hardly spoke to the trainers and was very reserved with the principal of the institute. Earlier they used to wield weapons and led a very isolated and difficult life. That’s why initially he had to face many problems. However, at the end of the training, they were able to weave clothes from the knowledge gained. He also presented gifts to the guests at the closing ceremony. They were not only talking to each other, but also singing, dancing, playing and going on picnics together.”
how from guns to threads
The rehabilitation program not only gave them an opportunity to earn and learn a new way of living but also lead a prosperous life. His new routine was also very different from his harsh routine in the jungles.
Dulal Saha, principal of the training institute, said: “All 26 women cadres were undergoing 3-month training. Following a strict routine in which they had to wake up at 4 in the morning, help each other in the kitchen for breakfast as per their mess duties. Later, she got engaged and learned about the weaving of traditional garments. Around 4 p.m., his day came to an end. Had lunch after chanting. The women devoted four hours a day in the morning and four hours in the afternoon to learning weaving.”
All the 26 women were served vegetarian food during their training.
Dulal Saha said, “Their eating habits were very different earlier as they were in militant groups. But this is Gandhi’s institution, so we serve only vegetarian food here. Initially it was a bit difficult to deal with him but we managed to teach him about Gandhiji’s principles. He eventually learned the ways and changed completely.”
Major changes have been observed in these women after the training at Kumarikata. Some of them are also planning to have their own looms.
Speaking to CNN-News18, one of the ex-cadres said: “I was a UPLA cadre. I am from Karbi Anglong. I recently took a 3-month training in weaving clothes. Now, we are planning to start a weaving industry.” are planning.” All the women cadres who surrendered from UPLA, we have called a meeting soon to decide the future course of action.”
What after training?
The Assam government has given a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakh to 22 cadres out of 26 to rehabilitate themselves to work on the surrender day at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. However, they will be able to withdraw that money only after 3 months from now. For now they are eligible to take a loan of Rs 3 lakh 20 thousand per person.
Talking further on this, ADGP Nath said, “We have given them training, the government has given them financial assistance. Now they can easily come together and start weaving industry.”
He urged all youths still engaged in militancy to end militancy and take these women as examples and come back to mainstream life.
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