Rosy surrender policy enticing armed outfits
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 29, 2022 -

WHILE only time will tell whether or not militancy in the state would end in the next 3-4 years, as stated by chief minister N Biren during the home coming ceremony of 12 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tribals (LTT) on Wednesday, the fact that the surrenderees included some top leaders of the outfit suggest that some insurgent groups are convinced that pursuing their goal through peaceful process might be more fruitful than waging armed battle against the government forces.

In fact, credit should go to the government of Manipur and the security agencies for impressing upon the 12 LTT cadres led by its chairman, deputy chairman and army chief that returning to the mainstream life would be more convenient than struggling every day in the jungles and they could continue to hold parleys with the government for finding solution to their grievances.

Though the total strength of the outfit has not been made public as yet, it is obvious that the surrendered members included top rung leaders technically means that LTT has been reduced to a headless organisation.

Considering the fact that the said leaders are all in their late 20s and belong to the same tribal community, one can't help but wonder for what reason and agenda the LTT had been formed in the first place.

While prospect for a secured existence, if they shun the path of violence, is likely to be the primary reason for giving up the armed struggle, the government's policy to provide monetary incentives and train them in livelihood activities could be some other factors for the 12 cadres to call it quits.

Nevertheless, for the N Biren government surrender of the outfit's members along with a handful of sophisticated weapons would be recorded as yet another major achievement towards maintaining law and order as existence and activities of even non-descript armed groups would be a headache for the present regime.

Moreover, determination of the incumbent government to curtail the insurgency movement and present the state in a palatable manner could be comprehended from CM Biren attributing surrender of the LTT cadres to the exemplary governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and having faith in the Indian Constitution.

By reiterating Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assurance that not a single bullet would be fired on those militants who want to return to normal life and join the national mainstream and that no FIR would be lodged against them unless they are involved in a heinous crime, the CM has signalled that no efforts would be spared to impress upon the insurgent activists that things have changed for the betterment and the government is committed to addressing every genuine problem through peaceful means.

Definitely boosted by surrender of the top rung LTT leaders, the government of Manipur under CM Biren would also be eager to hold more home ceremonies so as to ring out the message to all concerned that time has come for the insurgent groups, which are reluctant to join the peace process, to either accept the government's offer for finding solution to any differences through the dialogue process or face the prowess of the security forces.