20 cadres of different outfits lay down arms before Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 09 2021: A total of 20 cadres of different underground outfits laid down arms before Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a homecoming ceremony organized by the State Home Department at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles today.

The cadres, who have joined the mainstream, include 16 from Thadou People's Liberation Army (TPLA), one each from PLA and PREPAK (Pro) and two others from another outfit.

They surrendered 15 arms and 75 rounds of ammunition including one AK-56 Rifle, one M-15 Rifle, one MK-33 Rifle, one Uzi SMG, one Lathod gun, one Glock-19 pistol, six 9mm pistols, two .32 pistols and one .22 pistol.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the Government is bringing about a new comprehensive policy to rehabilitate surrendered cadres in the State.

Mentioning that more than 1,000 cadres of different underground outfits in Assam had recently surrendered to the State, the Chief Minister said the new comprehensive policy will be formed by tweaking the existing rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the State, Centre and the Assam model.

20 cadres of different outfits lay down arms before Govt

The comprehensive policy would help them lead a dignified life and give them suitable means of livelihood.

Welcoming the cadres and appreciating their stand to lay down arms, N Biren said the Government will never cast them out.

The Government welcomes them and their beliefs in it (Government) will be honoured and upheld, he said.

He emphasised that one of the major causes for the poor growth and development in the North Eastern region is insurgency.

To bring lasting peace and development, the proscribed organisations should lay down their arms and return to the mainstream.

They should pursue political solutions by engaging themselves in talks with the Government, Biren said, appealing to the outfits active in the State.

He stated that India Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is showing special care and respects the people of North-East.

The Centre is prioritising development in the region.

India, under his leadership, is moving forward to become a world superpower.

Moreover, the divide -- heartland, North, South, West and North-East -- that was there in India is now slowly fading away.

Narendra Modi, with the slogan 'One India, Sabka Sath Sabka Vikash and Nation First' has created and cemented a united India, Biren said.

He further stated that it is time people shed the notion that India is treating the people and the North-East region differently.

Maintaining that Manipur is now on the path of development with hundreds of youth contributing their might in economic growth through entrepreneurship since the past four years, the Chief Minister pointed out that all these were possible due to restoration of peace in the State.

Under the Revised Scheme for Surrender-Cum Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, each cadre was given a cheque of Rs 4 lakh as one-time financial grant.

The amount is to be kept in a bank in their names as fixed deposit for a period of three years.

Incentives for surrendered weapons were also given to the cadres.

The cadres will stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years during which they will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 each.

Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, high ranking officers of Army, paramilitary force attended the 'homecoming ceremony' .