36 CKLA cadres, 1 PREPAK (Pro) man lay down arms
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, April 21 2023:
Thirty six cadres of the Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA) and a cadre of PREPAK (Pro) today surrendered and laid down arms before Chief Minister N Biren Singh at a 'homecoming' ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion, Manipur Rifles.
The homecoming ceremony was organized by the Home Department, Government of Manipur.
Arms and ammunition surrendered by the cadres were four AK series rifles, one .22 rifles, one 303 rifle, one single barrel, one carbine, four pistols, two hand grenades, and 540 assorted ammunition.
The CKLA cadres who surrendered today included its president, chairman, general secretary, finance secretary and PRO.
The PREPAK (Pro) surrenderee is said to be a captain.
Speaking at the homecoming ceremony as chief guest, N Biren welcomed all the surrendered cadres to the mainstream, adding that today's homecoming ceremony is one of the largest in terms of number of cadres since the formation of his second Government.
|
The Chief Minister continued that the North East States had gone through significant changes in terms of development and economic matters after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.
He maintained that all the North East States, specially Manipur can now compare with other States of mainland India in terms of development.
The State has been progressing towards further development with the support of the people and, as such, many cadres of underground outfits have come out and joined the mainstream to take part in the development works, he claimed.
The Chief Minister said that a team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conveyed their intention to meet him today.
JICA first came to Manipur many years back to invest around Rs 400 crore in an ambitious sericulture project.
But JICA abandoned the project after the first phase and went away following insurgency related activities/disturbances.
Now JICA has expressed their willingness to invest in the State after considering the State's improved law and order situation, Biren said.
Stating that the Government aims to bring uniform development across the State, he spoke on various infrastructure development projects taken up in the State.
Biren further informed that, apart from rehabilitation benefits provided to surrendered cadres, they would be given priority in the recently launched 'One Family, One Pension' Scheme of the State Government.
This will facilitate them in earning their livelihood and in educating their children, he mentioned.
The Chief Minister stated that development could be brought only when peace prevails.
And it is through people's support in the last 6 years that the State has been able to progress towards development.
Continuing that the State had hosted many National and international events, he maintained that Manipur has become a preference for hosting such events.
He appealed to the public to refrain from bandhs and blockades but highlight their grievances through proper channel so that amicable solutions could be worked out.
He further appealed to the public to join hands and work together for a better and developed Manipur.
Concluding his speech, he appreciated the Police Department, Intelligence Bureau, Special Investigation Branch, Army and paramilitary forces for their efforts to bring cadres of various underground outfits to the mainstream.
Cabinet Ministers, Member of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, senior civil and police officers of the State Government, senior officers of Assam Rifles, CRPF and BSF also attended the homecoming ceremony, among others.
It is worth mentioning that under the Revised Scheme for Surrender-Cum Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, rehabilitation benefits given to the surrendered cadres include a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each surrendered cadre, which is to be kept in a bank account in their names as fixed deposits for a period of three years.
Apart from this, surrendered militants are entitled to monthly stipends of Rs 6000 each and incentives for surrendered weapons.
They will stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years.