Imphal, July 19 2010: In all, 324 cases have been registered against NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and other armed cadres of the outfit for their involvement in various crimes inside Manipur and out of these cases, chart-sheets of three cases have been submitted, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in charge of the Home Department, informed the Assembly today.

In response to a question raised by MPP MLA RK Anand during the question hour session of the Assembly today, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that in between August 1, 1997 and June 30 this year, 324 FIR cases have been registered against NSCN (IM) general secretary and other cadres of the outfit for their involvements in various crimes inside Manipur.

Among these FIRs, chart-sheets with regard to three cases have been submitted, the FIRs of 179 cases have been withdrawn while 142 cases are still pending.

MLA Anand demanded to know the cases that have been registered against NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and whether any case have been taken up against the outfit prior to 1997 .

He also wanted to know whether any steps have been taken up to arrest Muivah for his involvement in so many cases.

Participating in the discussion, MLA O Joy demanded tabling of a list on the cases registered against NSCN (IM) in the House.

Furthermore, he wanted to know whether the Government had made any move to oppose the withdrawal of 179 FIRs, what is the status of the remaining pending cases and why the Government has not yet announced NSCN (IM) as an unlawful organisation.

In his response, the Chief Minister pointed out that Government of India and NSCN (IM) has started a peace talk along with signing a ceasefire agreement inside Nagaland in on August 1, 1997.FIRs of 179 cases have been withdrawn as chart-sheets could not be framed among other reasons.

The Chief Minister assured that other related details would be placed on the floor of the House in the ongoing session.

Though he did not make any specific mention on the cases registered against Muivah, the Chief Minister reiterated that the State Government had opposed the proposed visit of Muivah to Manipur and had made it clear that he would be arrested if he forces way into Manipur where ceasefire is not in effect.

The Chief Minister further informed the House that as the Ministry of Home Affairs has removed NSCN (IM) from the list of unlawful organisations on account of the ongoing peace talks, the State Government has not declared it as an unlawful organisation.

No action could be taken up against any of the cadres of NSCN (IM) if they are not involved in crimes.

FIR cases have been registered only against those who are involved in crime.

In response to another question raised by MLA Mangi in connection with Suspension of Operation (SoO), the Chief Minister explained that SoO has been entered into among the Government of India, the State Government and 19 Kuki underground organisations.

So far, Rs 5 crores have been sanctioned for setting up designated camps for the armed Kuki UGs at 10 different sites.

The Chief Minister went on to say that of the 19 Kuki UG groups, 11 are under KNO and 8 are under UPF.

Four designated camps would be set for armed cadres under KNO and six camps for armed cadres under UPF.

Leaders of the SoO signatory groups would be given a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 while the cadres would be given Rs 3,000 .

A Joint Monitoring Group headed by Chief Secretary as chairperson is monitoring violation of the ground rules of SoO.

The entire amount that ZRA, which is a party to SoO, had fraudulently withdrawn from a bank in Churachandpur has been recovered.

The monthly allowance of the ZRA cadres involved in the case has been stopped since April and this would continue as long as they are not handed over, the Chief Minister informed the House and added firmly that the Government would not tolerate violation of the laid down SoO ground rules.

In response to another question raised by MLA T Hangkhanpao, the Chief Minister said that as of now the SBI branch at Chakpikarong has remained shut down following extortion threats on its branch manager from suspected UG groups.

But efforts are being made to resume the operation of the bank in the interest of the public along with providing armed escorts at the earliest possible.

Discussions are also underway for setting up bank branches in area where there is secured environment.