PLA's Lt Colonel surrenders to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 13 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh welcomed deputy assistant secretary, health and family welfare of the proscribed People's Liberation Army (PLA), self styled Lt Colonel Irom Ibotombi Meitei alias Ibotomba alias Keirungba alias Chingkhei, on his 'homecoming' to the main-stream at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

Irom Ibotombi (56), s/o Irom Guno Meitei is a resident of Thangtek, Nambol Police Station, Bishnupur.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister stated that Irom Ibotombi had come to the mainstream after putting faith in the changes brought in the State and the entire North East by the Central and State Governments.

Continuing that the homecoming of such a senior member of PLA shows a new beginning towards restoring peace in the State, he assured that the State Government would uphold the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah not to use a single bullet or lodge FIR against any UG cadre who are ready to lay down arms and join the mainstream.

PLA's Lt Colonel surrenders to Govt

He added that the State Government would make all arrangements to ensure security and rehabilitation of the surrendered cadres.

N Biren maintained that the Government had been making arrangements for rehabilitation of surrendered cadres who were once members of UG groups, under certain schemes and programmes.

Various training for rehabilitation is also given to them at the rehabilitation camp, he said and appealed to all UG cadres to put faith in the welfare and development programmes of the Government and join the mainstream.

It may be mentioned that earlier on June 1 this year, fourteen cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army -James Group (UTLA-J) laid down their arms before the Chief Minister at a homecoming ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles.

Regarding eviction of illegal encroachment at Waithou Chingol, the Chief Minister stated that the State Government had taken up the eviction process in the larger interest of the people and to conserve nature.

He mentioned that the eviction drive is being carried out as per the law of the land.

The State Government will not do anything which is outside the ambit of the Indian Constitution of India, he added.

Stating that he, as a human being, feels bad on pulling down certain houses and structures, he assured to make arrangements for rehabilitation if any affected household has no other land.

He further appealed to all encroachers and illegal occupants of reserved forest areas to voluntarily dismantle their structures as the Government would be continuing the eviction exercise.