12 LTT cadres lay down arms
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 27 2022:
Twelve cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tribals (LTT) including its chairman, deputy chairman and army chief laid down arms and ammunition before Chief Minister N Biren Singh at a homecoming ceremony held today at the Banquet hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, Imphal.
The surrendered weapons included one Ml6 rifle, two AK56 rifles, one .22 rifle, one double barrel gun, one carbine, two 9mm pistols, one lathode gun along with one Chinese hand grenade and one hand held radio set.
Speaking on the occasion, N Biren Singh acknowledged the cadres on their voluntary home coming to join the mainstream and stated that the cadres have now faith in the Indian Constitution and the governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He reiterated Union Home Minister Amit Shah's words that not a single bullet would be fired on those militants who want to return to normal lives and join the National mainstream and no FIR would be lodged against them unless they are involved ina heinous crime.
He appealed to paramilitary forces, army and police to keep the Union Home Minister's commitment to encourage more cadres of militant groups to come to the mainstream.
The Chief Minister maintained that there shouldn't be any complication in the procedures to be followed for UG groups to come to the mainstream and added that the State Government had opened a single window facility to facilitate UG groups in coming back.
He expressed satisfaction on high ranking militants joining the mainstream and added that many more are ready to come back.
He expressed hope that the State would be able to end militancy in the coming 3 to 4 years through political dialogues and homecomings.
Mentioning that the Government has political will and commitment to bring peace in the State, the Chief Minister instructed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to disburse the rehabilitation benefits to be given to the home coming cadres timely.
Such initiatives will send out a positive message towards other militant groups on the steps taken up by the Government especially for surrendered cadres, he added.
N Biren appealed to all the UG groups to come back to the mainstream, maintaining that the political scenario in the State has changed.
He further appealed to all to take their part in Nation building and in making 'One India'.
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 to be 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 their respective bank accounts as a fixed deposit for a period of three years; monthly stipends of Rs 6000/- per person and incentives for surrendered weapons.
Surrendered cadres will stay in a rehabilitation camp for a period of three years where they would be given various vocational training.
IGAR (South), in a statement issued today, also complimented the cadres for their decision and impressed upon all those who have taken up arms to return to the mainstream and live a happy and peaceful life.
Families of the surrendered insurgents also expressed their gratitude to the security forces for safely bringing them back.
Security forces of IGAR (South) under Spear Corps along with Manipur Police had successfully persuaded the 12 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tribals (LTT) to lay down their arms and join the mainstream, added the statement.
Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and various top civil, police and military officials attended the Homecoming Ceremony.