Govt signs MoU/SoO with three UG groups
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 09 2013: With 147 cadres belonging to three different underground organisations laying down arms, the Government has signed memorandum of understanding and suspension of operation pact with the three UG groups today.

The agreements were signed at a formal gathering held at 1st MR banquet hall with Chief Minister O Ibobi as chief guest and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as president.

The UG groups which have laid down arms are Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba), Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) and Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF) .

On behalf of KCP (Nongdrenkhomba), its commander-in-chief Ningthoujam Nongdrenkhomba alias Romen and chief of army Laishram Guni alias Gunamani signed an MoU with the Government.

44 cadres of the outfit surrendered to the Government along with 26 different kinds of weapons through 46th Assam Rifles.

Nongdrenkhomba was released from Sajiwa Central Jail on June 12 this year with a view to enable him take part in today's home-coming ceremony.

Govt signs MoU/SoO with three UG groups

Represented by chairman Helun Haokip, secretary Tonglenlal Haokip alias Lalmoi and army chief Thangboi Khongsai, KNLF and the Government signed an MoU.

Altogether 50 cadres of the outfit laid down 35 numbers of weapons and their return to mainstream was facilitated by 9th Assam Rifles.

KNLF is a constituent member of KNO, an umbrella body of several Kuki armed outfits.

A similar SoO pact was also signed between the Government and KRF, represented by its chairman Thanglenlal Doungel and general secretary Henkholal Doungel.

53 cadres of the outfit surrendered to the Government along with 30 assorted weapons through 43rd Assam Rifles.

KRF is a constituent member of UPF, another conglomerate of Kuki outfits.

On behalf of the State Government, Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu signed the MoU and SoO pacts.

However, no official of the Ministry of Home Affairs was present at the gathering.

In addition to the cadres of KCP (Nongdrenkhomba), KNLF and KRF, eight cadres of KYKL surrendered to the Government along with 4 weapons.

They surrendered to the Government through Imphal East District Police.

Counting the eight cadres of KYKL, altogether 155 UG cadres laid down arms at today's function and they brought 95 numbers of assorted weapons, 15 IEDs, 10 grenades, 10 lethod bombs, three mortar bombs, 12 radio sets, a number of magazines and 977 numbers of ammunition.

The 95 assorted weapons included RPG, lethod guns, mortars, AK rifles, M-16 rifles, revolvers, pistols, single-barrel guns as well as country made guns.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that the Government sometimes received complaints from the public about some groups under SoO pacts indulging in extortion and abduction of people for ransom.

In case enough evidence can be gathered about any UG groups under SoO pacts indulging in unlawful activities, the Government would not remain silent.

The Government may even annul the SoO pacts, if necessary, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Calling upon all the people to share the responsibility of taking Manipur on a progressive path, the Chief Minister exuded that the remaining UG groups would certainly come out and join the mainstream in coming days.

In his speech, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that today's home-coming ceremony would not be the last one.

Hosting such home-coming ceremonies would be rendered meaningless if peace and public welfare cannot be realised.

People have been asking the Government if some groups under SoO pacts have been issued licences to indulge in unlawful activities like extortion, abduction etc, Gaikhangam said.

Many other legislators, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, DGP MK Das and a number of senior police officers were also present at the gathering.

Notably, URF comprising of KCP (Sunil Meitei), KCP (Lanheiba) and KCP (Chingkheinganba); KCP (Lamphel) comprising of KCP (Lamphel), KCP (Taibangnganba) and KCP (City Meitei); KYKL-MDF (Athouba) and KYKL-MDF (Achouba) signed trilateral agreements with the Government of India and Government of Manipur in February this year.