Former militant alleges Govt apathy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2015 :
Md Kaji Umar alias Tayeb Ali, former chairman of a PULF faction has alleged that the State has not been providing any kind of facility to former militants who have returned to the mainstream.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Kaji Umar said that they have been enduring a very hard time as the Government has not been providing monthly stipends nor yearly entitlements.
Urging the State Government to pay what is due to the surrenderees by January 10, Kaji Umar said that they may be constrained to go underground again if their appeal goes unheeded.
Notably, 14 militants including Umar Kaji himself laid down arms at a home-coming ceremony held at Hqs, IG AR (S) Mantripukhri on September 26, 2012 where Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam were present.
Although 28 assorted weapons were surrendered six months earlier, only 14 weapons were displayed at the formal home-coming ceremony, Kaji Umar said.
He maintained that the Government was supposed to pay monthly stipend of Rs 1000 and one-time annual emolument of Rs five lakh to each surrendered militant.
He said that he and many of his fellow former militants have been taking shelter at different AR camps.