Surrendered UGs caution Government
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 12 2013:
Conveying formation of a Peace Talk Committee with United Revolutionary Front (URF) home secretary Puyam Ruhini as the Committee convenor, cadres of three armed groups who recently surrendered to the Government cautioned that they would resume military campaign in case the Government is non-committal to take forward the peace process.
speaking on behalf of the surrendered cadres at Manipur Press Club today, URF's Ruhini, KYKL (MDF) president Meisnam Athouba and KCP (Lamphel Group)'s general secretary Haobijam Dilip alias Taibanganba asserted that they would not hesitate in returning to the jungles for resuming the military offensive against the Government if plight of the surrendered cadres is not accorded importance.
Conveying that joint Committee of the three UG groups was formed to specifically facilitate the proposed peace process with both the State and Central Governments, the trio confided that appointment of more Committee members would be worked out in the coming days.
Insisting that the three groups obliged repeated intimations from Government representatives to join the peace process, they threatened to forsake the dialogue process if the Government does not implement conditions agreed prior to the armed groups coming overground.
Out of several ethnic groups settled in Manipur peace process had already been initiated with some of the Kuki and naga armed groups and under the same spirit the three groups opted for the peace process with the firm belief that insurgent groups belonging to the valley community too deserve political negotiation with the Governments, said the three.
Contending that inspite of willingness, more active cadres of the three groups might change their judgements if the Government is not sincere enough to take forward the peace process, they further cautioned that the active cadres might be able to sabotage the dialogue process if the Governments lack commitment in resolving the decades old insurgency problem.
clarifying that they actually decided to join the peace process for the betterment of the entire manipuri society and not to derive personal benefits, they also stated that based on the principle of peace and work culture as the only way for overall development of Manipur they had chosen peaceful means of settling all outstanding issues.
The three representatives also asserted that they would not enter into any agreement under duress with the Governments and demanded that identity cards be issued to the surrendered cadres after thorough police verification process.
Meanwhile, reacting to newspaper reports, KYKL-MDF's Athouba clarified that there is no separate group called MDF (Achouba) as both are the same person (self) .