UG groups desperate to recruit child soldiers: Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 26 2012: It is fact that well educated and matured individuals of the state are fed up with the ideology of the UG groups that they intend to stay away from these UG groups and as such the UG groups are turning their minds towards children and are desperate to recruit them as cadres in their group, exclaimed Home Minister Gaikhangam.

Addressing media persons in Imphal today, Gaikhangam said that the motives of the UG groups came to light when a number of UG cadres were caught by the Manipur Police and interrogated.

In the course of their interrogation, they informed that the tendency of grown ups who are matured and educated willing to join the UG groups has considerably declined and as such the UG groups have taken up the step to recruit more children as cadres in their respective organizations.

Considering the motive of the UG groups of the state, the state government has kept all the Police stations of the state on high alert and at the same time the school authorities have also been informed to be on the alert, he added.

He further stated that to avoid from all sorts of unwanted incidents from happening, the co operation of the public is required.

To further control the situation, the CCTV cameras which have been installed in certain points of Imphal city needs to be monitored.

The law and order situation of the state will also be kept under control.

Answering to a query, Gaikhangam said that the state government will be discussing with the Union government to solve the problems in the areas of the state bordering Nagaland namely Tungjoi, Juko and Jessami.

Measures will also be taken up to deploy security personnel along the border areas of the state to provide security to the people of the area.

He also recalled about the incident at Jessami where the villagers of the area were beaten up and abducted to Meluri village of Nagaland.

DGP of Manipur, Chief Secretary and local MLA did their level best to bring the situation under control in the interest of the people of Jessami.

He further pointed out that even if there is border dispute, it will not be made to create problems to the people settling in the area of the state.

The state government will not remain as a silent spectator in case of violence erupting out of it.

The border area will be made easily accessible for security personnel to drive in, in case of any eventuality happening in the area.

Answering to another query on the opening of NSCN-IM designated camps in Manipur as claimed by the Assam Rifles, he said that up till now there has been no official report on the opening of any designated camps of NSCN-IM in Manipur.

If at all there happens to be any, the Centre will be informed in the regard.

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