Cachar Hills:
The terror run by DHD(J) in Assam's North Cachar Hills had become the most pressing challenge before the Home Minister who had set September 15 as deadline for the militants to lay down arms and come for talks.
NDTV got exclusive access to film the militants' inventory of highly sophisticated arms at their secret hideout, hours before they surrender.
Half a mile from the national highway and a 20-minute walk uphill is the new, relocated GHQ of the DHD(J) which has been fighting for an autonomous Dimasa state since 2004 after it split from its parent outfit formed in 1993.
The empire -- built on extortion, kidnappings against ransom, siphoning of development fund and indiscriminate killings -- was reined in after the arrest of Dimasa's self-styled commander Jewel Garlosa in Bangalore this year.
Daniel Dimasa the outfit's deputy commander in chief had masterminded all the massacres in 2009 and is said to have acquired personal assets worth Rs 50 crore.
Daniel and his men have been responsible for killing 100 civilians and more than 50 police personnel in 2008-2009. And he's not apologetic.
"Who likes killings but we were forced to kill because the government responds only to that language," Daniel said.
The mood in the camp is, however, tentative.
"Yes there's a sense of relief but then who knows," said Samsong, publicity secretary DHD(J).
These are very tense and anxious moments for guerillas laying down arms after fighting for years.
NDTV got exclusive access to film the militants' inventory of highly sophisticated arms at their secret hideout, hours before they surrender.
Half a mile from the national highway and a 20-minute walk uphill is the new, relocated GHQ of the DHD(J) which has been fighting for an autonomous Dimasa state since 2004 after it split from its parent outfit formed in 1993.
The empire -- built on extortion, kidnappings against ransom, siphoning of development fund and indiscriminate killings -- was reined in after the arrest of Dimasa's self-styled commander Jewel Garlosa in Bangalore this year.
Daniel Dimasa the outfit's deputy commander in chief had masterminded all the massacres in 2009 and is said to have acquired personal assets worth Rs 50 crore.
Daniel and his men have been responsible for killing 100 civilians and more than 50 police personnel in 2008-2009. And he's not apologetic.
"Who likes killings but we were forced to kill because the government responds only to that language," Daniel said.
The mood in the camp is, however, tentative.
"Yes there's a sense of relief but then who knows," said Samsong, publicity secretary DHD(J).
These are very tense and anxious moments for guerillas laying down arms after fighting for years.
