8 UGs lay down arms, with rehab as the icing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2011: Eight activists of different under ground organisations have formally laid down arms at the Mantripukhri head-quarters of IGAR (South).

The surrender ceremony was held in the presence of Director General of Police, Govt of Manipur Y Joykumar Singh and IGAR (S) Maj Gen CA Krishnan.

The surrendered cadres include UNLF's Pte Gopal Sharma alias Laimkaiba (25) s/o (L) Mangi Sharma of Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai; the same outfit's Pte Hemanta alias Manimatum (20) s/o Maomu of Keirao; PREPAK's Sgt Jelen Khangebam alias Boni (25) s/o Pungo Yaima of Kumbi Awang Leikai; KCP-MTF's Pte Kabi Kanta alias Thoiba (20) s/o Biren of Wangkhem; UPPK's Pte Amom Rajesh alias Raju Singh (18) s/o A Pishak Singh of Wangoo Tera; UPPK's Pte L Thoi alias Tomba singh (18) s/o Laishram Ranjit singh of Wangoo Chairen Sabam; second in-command (Finance Section) of KCP-MC (Lamyanba Khuman) Angom Naocha Meitei (20) s/o A Pocha Meitei of Moirang Khoirou Leikai; and KCP-MC (Lamyanba Khuman) Konjengbam Manoranjan Singh alias Sanjit (22) s/o K Basanta Singh of moirang.

The surrendered UGs at Leimakhong

Weapons handed over to the security officers included seven pistols with magazines and huge quantity of live rounds, six lathod bombs, one hand grenade, one Kenwood set and five detonators.

Welcoming the UG cadres, Y Joykumar observed that these days armed groups have no ideology or principle for waging war as interest of such groups is to amass wealth through threat and intimidation.

Stressing on the need for imbibing work culture rather than live under the concept that wealth could be amassed at gunpoint, he also expressed that owing to presence of sufficient number of security forces, people of Umathel village could work and walk without any fear and apprehension.

The DGP also announced that six more hovercrafts would be added to the police arsenal for effective anti-insurgency operation in Loktak Lake areas.

He further assured the surrendered cadres of full cooperation and assistance by the Police Department.

In his address, Maj Gen CA Krishnan stated that since April 2010, over 105 UGs have given up arms and returned to the mainstream.

He also informed that Assam Rifles would provide training to the surrendered UGs in vocational course as a part of rehabilitation programme after which they would be handed over to Manipur police.