39 ADIVASI PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY (APLA) CADRES LAY DOWN ARMS BEFORE ASSAM RIFLES at BOKAJAN , Assam

(APLA was formed in 2004 to 'work' for tea tribe communities. The group has been demanding ST status for tea-tribe community in Assam and also took up matters related to launching of schools for children and Land Pattas)

With an aim to promote peace and harmony in the region, the Security Forces of Spear Corps have always endeavoured to main stream the misguided youth who have taken up the path of insurgency.

Towards this aim, Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) Maj Gen Vikas Lakhera and Spear Corps in conjunction with Assam Police, through their relentless efforts "have successfully pursued homecoming of 39 active cadres of Aadivasi People's Liberation Army (APLA)", a defence release said. 

The surrendered militants also laid down a total of 31 weapons including 03 AK series Rifles, 19 Pistols, 05 other rifles, 02 Grenades and assorted live ammunition today and have chosen a path of peace and prosperity under 'operation Samarpan'.

"Assam Rifles compliment the youth for this decision and impress upon all those who have chosen the wrong path to return into the main stream and live a happy and peaceful life. Families of the surrendered cadres expressed their gratitude to the Security Forces for bringing their loved ones back to the family safely," the release said. 

Sources say APLA had suffered a major setback in 2012 when its training camp located at Jandalashung ‘B’ along the Wokha-Golaghat border (Nagaland-Assam) was busted by forces from Nagaland including central forces. 

A decade later, nine members of the Adivasi People's Liberation Army (APLA) surrendered with arms and ammunition before Assam Police in Karbi Anglong in November 2022.