Red Horns Division of the Indian Army has been carrying anti- militancy operations successfully in the Lower Assam while undertaking developmental projects simultaneously. One of the special projects undertaken by the division has been the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants.

The division started a rehabilitation training camp in July 1999 at Tamulpur. It provides boarding and lodging facilities for 18 months alongwith training of the surenderees. At present the rehabilitation camp has 84 inmates.

At the camp, the training is imparted in computer, driving, tailoring and typing. The endeavour is to make the surrenderees acquire such proficiency in these trades and skills as to make them self-reliant. Each trainee is given a monthly stipend of Rs 2000 during the course of training.

The Red Horns Division, with the help of civil administration, has also launched a project named ‘Beacon’ in Gerua village near Tamulpur in Nalibari district. They have started two fish ponds on the land provided by the state administration for the training of surrenderees in pisciculture. In addition to this, eight huts have been constructed for the rehabilitation of the surrendered members of ULFA who can stay and earn their bread through poultry, piggery and betel-nut and coconut farming. Each hut consists of one room and one kitchen alongwith the facility of community toilets.

Assistance for getting loans for surrenderees from cooperative banks is also being provided by the Army. The efforts of the Red Horns have borne fruit and have helped the misguided youth to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream.