TODAY -
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 17 2009:
A total of 64 cadres of the Sinlung Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) laid down their arms before the Government of Mizoram, during a surrender ceremony held today at Aizawl.
The cadres laid down their arms before Mizoram Chief Minister Lalthan Hawla, Home Minister Zirliana and GOC of 57 Mountain Division, Maj Gen Shakti Gurung.
Among the surrenderees, 53 are from Mizoram while 11 are from Manipur, said PIB (Defence Wing) in a statement today.
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Addressing the function, the GOC said, "Our insignia is a Mizo shield of a Mizo warrior and it was raised on December 10, 1969, primarily to tackle the then ongoing insurgency in Mizoram.
After its raising, the Division moved to Mizoram in January 1970 for operations.
Today, the home coming of the SPLA cadres, all the way from Manipur, makes this whole cycle complete.
They are indeed returning home".
Giving a brief history, PIB said that the Sinlung Tiger Force was formed two years ago, in May, 2007 by LZ Hrangchal.
Young people, in the age group of 18 to 25 years, were recruited, said PIB and added that they were drawn from the Mizo tribes of Pachchau, Hmar, Chhakchau, Palol, Ralte and Sailou.
The ideology was that the recruited youth would take up the struggle of the indigenous Sinlung people, affected by the Tipaimukh and Tuirial projects, said PIB adding that the ultimate aim of the founder was that the outfit would join the Sinlung Hill District Council, in Barak valley and work for Greater Mizoram.
None of the recruited youths were told 57 Mtn Div initiates surrender that they would join an underground outfit, claimed the statement and added that they were lured that they would be recruited into the Mizoram police.
Intelligence sources believe that the cadres were trained by the United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), added PIB.
In was in an isolated training camp in Myanmar that the group took on the name of Sinlung Peoples' Liberation Army, said PIB adding that their last known strength was 93 .
Through the SPLA, the UPPK hoped to siphon off money from the estimated amount of Rs 542.16 crores meant for Tipaimukh project.
However after the training a rift appeared between the SPLA and the UPPK as the former was unable to pay for the training, said PIB and added that this led to the SPLA cadres deserting the camp in groups of 5 to 10 and crossing over to Manipur.
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