Surrendered militants launch indefinite hunger strike

Around 66 surrendered militants of Sikaribari Vocational Training Centre (VTC) at Ambassa in Dhalai district have launched an indefinite hunger strike to press for their nine point charter of demands.

Police said they launched their agitation on Wednesday.

In January last year, a total of 66 surrendered insurgents had joined the VTC for training in motor driving, tailoring, computer application and mobile servicing.

Accordingly, the government had engaged an NGO, Asha to undertake vocational training.

Trouble started when the insurgents raised their voice against the poor quality of instructors.

Police said the surrendered insurgents alleged that the NGO had engaged unskilled instructors who could not impart proper training.

Meanwhile, the Sub divisional Magistrate of Ambassa, Shankar Sarkas met the agitating surrendered insurgents on Thursday, and appealed to withdraw their movement.

According to reports reaching here, the agitators said that they would withdraw their movement only after getting written assurance that their demands would be conceded.

Their nine-point charter of demands include appointment of good trainers, extension of training tenure, withdrawal of all pending police cases against them and allotment of land for each surrendered militants.