Altogether 58 militants, including 52 from the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and six from two Naga rebels groups, gave up arms before the Army in two separate surrender ceremonies on Tuesday.

The Army informed that 32 insurgents, including 26 ULFA cadres, four NSCN-IM cadres and two NSCN-K cadres laid down arms before the Army at Mariani in Upper Assam. Those who surrendered included two lady cadres of the outfit.

The militants were from the 28th and 27th battalions of the ULFA. The ultras deposited eight rifles, two assault rifles, 13 pistols, one carbine, 100 rounds of ammunition and two kilograms of explosives.

In another surrender function at Tamulpur Army base in Baksa district bordering Bhutan in North Assam, 26 ULFA militants from its 27th and 709 battalions surrendered.

The militants deposited eight pistols, four revolvers, eight grenades and 30 rounds of ammunition.

The Army claimed that it happened to be the biggest surrender of ULFA militants in a single day so far this year. The Army said the surrender of ULFA militants in big groups indicated that the morale of the cadres in ULFA ranks were on the wane because of the sustained intensive operation against them by the security forces.