Fourteen hardcore militants belonging to the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom on Thursday gave up arms and surrendered, while an abducted junior engineer of Assam government was set free by militants.

Fourteen ULFA cadres belonging to the two most active battalions came overground on Thursday in a function organised at Assam police special branch's headquarters in Guwahati.

The militants from the ULFA's 28th and 709th battalions gave up arms before Inspector General of Police K N Sharma who welcomed the militants to the mainstream.

While surrendering before the police, the militants deposited one AK 47 assault rifle, three 9 mm pistols, two revolvers, two pistols, five grenades, two improvised explosive devices, four kilograms of TNT explosive and assorted ammunition.

The militants who surrendered, were identified as Dilip Kumar [Images] Sharma alias Anil Phukon, Robin Bezboruah alias Putul Baruah, Lakhyadhar Kalita, Manik Gogoi alias Balen Phukon, Simanta Gogoi alias Udit Gogoi, Dulal Baruah alias Bhaskar Chaliha, Rupam Gogoi alias Labakanta Gogoi, Chintu Gogoi, Anil Gogoi, Subhas Bora, Tapan Barua, Mitul Handique, Jayanta Roy, Rajani Kalita.

Sharma, while welcoming the militants to the mainstream, assured them of a rehabilitation grant of Rs 1.5 lakh each as per the existing policy of the Assam government. He said the financial grant will come handy for the ULFA militants to begin their life anew.

Meanwhile, ULFA militants on Wednesday night released abducted junior engineer Bhagawan Das from their captivity.

The junior engineer of the rural development department was kidnapped by ULFA militants on August 25. The militants released him near National Highway 31 at Patshala in Barpeta district of Lower Assam.