Guwahati, Sep 13 (IANS): Four militants of the United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA) were arrested in Assam's Karbi Anglong early Thursday and arms and ammunition seized from their possession, police said.

The suspected militants were travelling in a Bolero vehicle to Manipur, police said, adding that one AK 47 rifle, an AK 56 rifle, an M15 rifle and an M16 rifle and about 900 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.

Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police B.B. Chetri said the vehicle was intercepted by police at Khatkhoti around 2 a.m. He said the four men were cadres of the UKDA - the Kuki militant outfit which had declared a unilateral ceasefire earlier this year.

"The arms and ammunition, which were concealed in the vehicle, were the ones which the outfit had not deposited during the surrender Jan 26 this year, However, we are trying to find out as to why they were heading to Manipur," he said.

The UKDA was formed in 1996 with the objective of defending the Kuki community in Assam, particularly in Karbi Anglong district, from attacks by other militant outfits.

The UKDA's basic demand was setting up of a regional council comprising the Kuki-dominated areas of the Sisghason hill in Karbi Anglong district.

On Jan 26 this year, about 120 cadres of the UKDA surrendered before the Assam government along with members of other militant outfits of the state.