UPF says no to surrenderee settlement at hills
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 01 2013:
United Peoples Front (UPF), an umbrella body of some Kuki UG groups which are signatory to the Suspension of Operation (SoO), has demanded the State Government to stop rehabilitation of surrendered UG groups in hill areas of Manipur.
In a statement, Information and Publicity Secretary of UPF C Robinson Thadou said that it has been learnt that the State Government is planning to let the surrendered UG groups to stay in the hill areas of Manipur, which is already an occupied areas by SoO signatory- Kuki UG groups.
This programme of planting surrenderee groups should be stopped at one before unwanted situation crops up, Robinson warned.
He went on to say that hill based revolutionary groups have signed cease-fire agreement with the State and Indian governments since the last 7 years in the hope of arriving at an acceptable political solutions to bring peace and development in the state.
However, till today no concrete steps have been taken up by the government as per the aspiration and hope of the Kuki based UGs.
On the other hand, the State Government is seen taking up steps to settle cadres of other surrendered UG groups in the operational areas of the SoO groups, which is very embarrassing.
It is not only the UG groups but also the public, who are very much against such initiatives of the government, Robinson asserted.
"We, the UPF, are making our stand point loud and clear that we will not remain silent if any surrenderee groups are given settlement in our areas viz.
Chandel, Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, whether it be for temporary or permanent.
No surrenderee groups shall be given settlement not only in the mentioned districts but also in valley districts near or adjoining our areas.
This is purposely for maintaining peace and harmony in our state but not particularly against any community or group", Robinson clarified.
In case this verbal appeal is not heeded, UPF shall be compelled to launch operation against anybody, be it valley based or hill based surrenderee UGs, and the state government shall bear the responsibility of the outcome, Robinson added.