57 UG cadres surrender; Result of the govt's rehabilitation package: CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 15 2011:
In what could be term as a landmark success in dealing with the different UG outfits operating in the state by the government, 57 cadres of different UG groups surrendered along with arms before Chief Minister O Ibobi in a surrender ceremony held at HQ IGAR (South) at Mantripukhri today.
The 57 cadres who surrendered to the Chief Minister O Ibobi include, 15 cadres of PULF (AZAD), six cadres each of PREPAK, PLA, KNLF, five cadres of UNLF, four cadres of KYKL, two cadres each of PULF (UF), PREPAK (VC), KCP, UTLA and one cadre each of PULF (MI KHAN), KCP (MTF), KCP (CITY MEITEI), KCP (TABUNGBA), PREPAK (PRO), PRA and NSCN (K) .
The 57 cadres also surrendered 1 M16 rifle, 1 lethod gun, 6 AK-56 rifles, two AK-47 rifles, three carbines, five 0.65 pistols, three 7.62 pistols, one 4mm revolver and 35 9mm pistols.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that looking at the way the state is progressing towards the path of development, many cadres of different UG groups are desirous of joining the mainstream and lead a life of peace and prosperity.
They have also chosen to join the mainstream as a direct result of the rehabilitation packages provided by the state government.
Their entering into the peace initiatives is a heartening trend and their decision to come back to the mainstream is extremely valuable to the development of the state.
The Chief Minister also assured that their initiative for peace would be honoured and the government would also make its best efforts to redress their grievances.
He further said that the state government is providing shelter and financial assistance to some of the UG groups which are under the Suspension of Operation with the government.
It is very unfortunate that some of the groups under SoO is violating the ground rules and are carrying out extortion and anti social activities.
This is against the principle of SoO and it cannot be tolerated at all.
He further urged the groups to give up such acts and co operate with the government in the interest of the general public.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi also appealed to all the other outfits which are not under the SoO to shun violence and be part of the peace process.
He also applauded the role of the AR in facilitating the surrender and helping the misguided youths of Manipur to join the mainstream.
Major general UK Gurung, IGAR (South) told media persons that the surrender ceremony held today is not a drama of any kind, it is a real event.
Such events will will continue to take place in the near future.
Many of the cadres of almost all the UG groups in the state are desirous of joining the mainstream.
DGP, Y Joykumar, DIG/SP Imphal West, Kailun, officers and Jawans of AR and MR were also present on
the occasion.