According to the locals, many of the armed outfits that have already joined peaceful politics have not completely surrendered their arms. “People are worried as the government appears least bothered about arms in possession of these outfits,” said Janga Bahadur Singh, a rights activist. [break]
According to Singh, over a dozen underground outfits had agreed to join peaceful politics since May 2007. Around half a dozen armed outfits in Saptari alone have held talks with the government.
Samyukta Tarai Janakranti Party (STJP) which had agreed to surrender arms to the government four years ago is yet to turn in arms in its possession. “The government had agreed to release our cadres in jail. We did not surrender arms in our possession as the government did not release our cadres,” said Anugraj Mandal, who led the STJP talks team.
Similarly, the notorious armed outfit Madheshi Virus Killers (MVK) had started dialogues with the government four years ago. It has not surrendered arms in its possession as the chief of the outfit joined the CPN-Maoist led by Matrika Yadav.
Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha led by Rajib Jha, Madhesi Mukti Tigers led by Raman Singh and All Tarai Mukti Morcha led by Ajit Singh, among others, have also not surrendered arms in their possession.
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