UPPK inks peace pact with Govt
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 24 2013 :
The surrendered cadres of United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) who have come out to join the mainstream have signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Government and Manipur Government here today.
The MoU was signed between the three parties comprising UPPK, Manipur State Government and Indian Government during a function held at the Banquet hall of 1st MR here.
The MoU was signed by Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary of Union Home Minister (NE in-charge) on behalf of Union Home Ministry and Dr J Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) on behalf of the State Government.
On behalf of the UPPK, the signatures were appended by its President Achoibam Bonbihari; General Secretary Konthoujam Shanti and Chief of Army Mayengbam Maichon.
While welcoming the cadres of UPPK to the mainstream, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who attended the function as Chief Guest, said that all the people settling in the State are one, and so all of us need to face the problems and share the joys.
We should try to solve problems peacefully as violence cannot bring peace in the society and solve all the problems.
The Chief Minister went on to say that the State Government would see to it that all the surrendered cadres are deployed as security forces in the State.
It would be the priority of the State Government to see that all surrendered cadres who have joined the mainstream get equal opportunities like other normal people in the society.
"The State Government is also planning to construct designated camps for them to stay.
All suggestions from the remaining UG groups who have not yet come up for talks with the Government would be warmly welcomed.
The people of the State now prefer to live in peace.
As such we all need to come together as one and build a peaceful and developed Manipuri society", the Chief Minister said.
Dr J Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) said that the entire group of UPPK has joined the peace process under the leadership of its President Achoibam Bonbihari; General Secretary Konthoujam Shanti, Chief of Army Mayengbam Maichon, Home Secretary Lemba, Organising Secretary Lakpa, Information and Publicity Secretary Laishram Brojen alias Khuman and Deputy Finance Secretary Huidrom Angamba Meetei.
The total number of the cadres of UPPK who were present in the ceremony was 80.He informed that the first batch consisting of 51 members were extricated from Myanmar through Tamu and Moreh on February 4, 2013 with the help of the Assam Rifles and the State Police commandos.
The Second batch consisting of 27 cadres were further extricated on March 19 last through Nagaland border from the camp at Taka located in Myanmar.
Finally, one major of the group was extricated in the third operation on April 17 last from Heikol camp in Myanmar.
In addition to a number of hand grenades, 5742 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition and 507 rounds 7.62 mm ammunitions, the cadres of UPPK have also brought with them 37 weapons including one SLR; 21 HK-33 Rifles; 4 Pistols; 2 lethod guns; one each of M-22 Rifles, AK-56 Rifle, Type 81 Rifle, A-4 Rifle, MG A-2, MG MK-3 and RPG.
Dr J Suresh Babu also informed that the with financial assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the State Government has started construction of designated camps to host the surrendered cadres of UPPK.
Every effort will be made to ensure that these cadres who have come forward with lot of faith in the Government are settled properly soon.
As part of the rehabilitation package, they will be paid a lump sum of Rs 2.50 lakh which will be kept in fixed deposit for a period of two years.
However, this fixed deposit will be allowed as 'collateral guarantee' for mobilizing loans for self-employment programmes.
In addition to this, every cadre will be paid Rs 4000 per month as stipend for meeting their expenditure for a period of two years, Suresh Babu said, while disclosing that the Central Government has already released Rs 14 crores in the last week for meeting the expenditure for the groups which have joined peace process till date.
Presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, the function was also attended by Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro; PHE Minister I Hemochandra; IFC Minioster Ngamthang haokip; Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, Agriculture Minister Abdul Nasir; Works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar; Parliamentary Secretary V Valte; Chief Secretary DS Poonia; DGP Y Joykumar; GOC, IG AR (S) and other senior officers.
It may be noted here that on February 13 this year, several factions of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (MDF) joined the peace process during a home coming ceremony at the 1st Bn of MR.In all, 200 UGs laid down 138 weapons during said home coming ceremony.
Comment
