From correspondents in Assam, India, 08:33 PM IST

As many as 32 militants Monday surrendered before army authorities in Assam and laid down a huge cache of weapons and explosives, officials said.

An army spokesman said the militants surrendered at an army base at Dinjan in eastern Assam.

The surrendering rebels belong to groups like the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Adivasi National Liberation Army (ALNA), Karbi Longri National Liberation Front, and the Isak Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.

They laid down a number of AK 56 assault rifles, pistols and grenades, besides a large quantity of ammunition.

Most of them said they were disillusioned with life underground and hence decided to join the mainstream.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)