12 LTT cadres including chairman lay down arms
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 27 2022: Twelve cadres of the armed Liberation Tigers of Tribals (LTT) including its chairman Sheiminthang Gangte alias Thangboi Gangte (28), deputy chairman Letkhosat Lufo alias Marshall Hangmee (26) and army chief Janghen Khongsai alias Hencha (26) laid down arms and ammunition before the chief minister N Biren Singh in a homecoming ceremony held on Wednesday at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall here.

The surrendered weapons included one M16 rifle, two AK56 rifles, one point 22 rifle, one double barrel gun, one carbine, two 9mm pistols, one lathode gun, one Chinese hand grenade, 14 live rounds of AK rifle and one Kenwood hand-held set.

Speaking on the occasion, N Biren congratulated the cadres on their voluntary home coming to the mainstream stating that the cadres have now faith in the Indian Constitution and the governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He quoted 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 in a heinous crime.

12 LTT cadres including chairman lay down arms

The CM also appealed to paramilitary forces, army and police to uphold the Union Home Minister's commitment to encourage more cadres of militant groups to come to the mainstream.

He maintained that there shouldn't be any complicacy in the procedures to be followed for UG groups joining the mainstream, adding the state government had opened a single window facility to welcome UG groups back to the mainstream society.

While expressing satisfaction on top leaders of militant groups joining the mainstream along with stating that many more are ready to return to normal, he exuded confidence 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 meant for the home coming cadres timely in time bound manner.

Such an initiative would create a positive message towards other militant groups on the steps taken up by the government especially for surrendered cadres, he added.

N Biren also appealed to all the UGs groups to come back to the mainstream stating the political scenario of the state has changed He further appealed to all to contribute their mite in nation building process and in making One India.

Meanwhile, PRO IGAR (S) informed in a statement that security forces of IGAR (South) under Spear Corps along with Manipur Police successfully persuaded the 12 cadres of LTT to lay down their arms and join the mainstream.

Security forces compliment the cadres for this decision and impress upon all those who have chosen the wrong path to return to the mainstream and live a happy and peaceful life, the PRO conveyed, adding that families of the surrendered insurgents expressed their gratitude to the security forces for safely bringing their loved ones back to the family.

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 included 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.

Cabinet ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, director general of police, and various top civil, police and military officials attended the Homecoming Ceremony.