29 cadres of different armed groups surrender
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 07 2011: As was announced some days back, in a statement issued by the PIB (DW), cadres of different insurgent groups laid down arms before the Army and State security force authorities at a surrender ceremony held today at the Leimakhong headquarters of 57 Mountain Division.

A total of 29 cadres left their respective groups to join the mainstream today, which is one more than the 28 cadres listed in the PIB (DW) statement.

The surrender ceremony was held in the presence of General Officer Commanding of 57 Mountain Division Major general Binoy Poonen, Additional Director General of Police (law & Order) V Zathang, Deputy GOC Brigadier KB Chand, Commander 73 Mountain Division, Commander 27 Sector Assam Rifles and Deputy Commander 44 Mountain Brigade.

It is informed that surrender of the 29 cadres was facilitated by authorities of 3 Mahar, 9 Madras, 25 Assam Rifles, 33 AR and 11 AR of Red Shield Division.

Speaking at the occasion, Maj Gen Poonen praised the surrendered cadres for their courage and wisdom in choosing to become responsible citizens of the State and contribute to progressive realisation of people's peace and aspiration.

The surrendered cadres with Army officials and Addl DG

Assuring them all possible assistance in their rehabilitation process, the GOC affirmed that the security forces on their part will continue to encourage all such endeavours by all insurgent groups, both collectively and individually and shall continue to act as a facilitator in their rehabilitation and thence in their emergence as responsible citizens of the State.

In his address, ADGP Zathang welcomed the surrenderees to the national stream and announced on behalf of the Government of Manipur that the surrendered cadres and their families will be provided honourable rehabilitation.

other military officers who also spoke at the occasion, observed that the apparent compulsions that might have motivated the youngsters in choosing the path of militancy in the past, and which may have had some relevance, in their perception in yesteryears, is devoid of all such rationale in the present context.

Terming decision of the surrendered cadres as a step in the right direction and exuding confidence that such events will act as harbingers of numerous such positive events in the future, they conveyed hope that homecoming of these cadres will be a further step towards return of normalcy and peace in Manipur.

President of United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) Ishael in his brief remark during the surrender ceremony pledged that his organisation will bear true faith and allegiance to uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country.

The UTLA chief maintained that consequent upon the Centre and State Government inviting all underground outfits to come to the mainstream his organisation deemed it fit to accept the call in order to come under the suspension of operation and join other groups for a negotiated settlement of all issues.

Conveying the UTLA's commitment for re-unification of Kuki people, Ishael said his organisation will strive to establish a society where the downtrodden shall have a firm command over the people's institutions and the people's representatives.

further pledging to struggle for egalitarian development and upholding the democratic principles, the president declared that since its inception UTLA is neither aware of who SK Thadou is nor does the organisation have any record of his (SK Thadou) existence.

Expressing that SK Thadou has been bluntly misguided by some vested interest and employed to malign the political image and profile of UTLA, Ishael appealed to the Central and State Government and to all the security forces to be aware of SK Thadou's malicious intent in spoiling the name and repute of the organisation.

While prevailing upon the top brass security officials and Government of Manipur to assist UTLA in all possible way for entering into suspension of operation, he also announced that UTLA will organise a Homecoming ceremony shortly.

UTLA general secretary Siehzahau T Singsit was the other top leader of the outfit who surrendered today.

Among the 29 cadres, who took part in the surrender ceremony, seven each belong to the NSCN (Khole) and FGN groups, with six of them belonging to the NSCN (Khaplang), three from the PULF (MI Khan), two each belonging to the UNLF and NNC, while NSCN (IM) and KYKL outfits accounted for one cadre each.

These cadres also surrendered two AK-47s, same number of AK-56s, 9 mm carbines and 303 rifles; one rifle each of M-16, M-22, 7.62 mm, Lathode Grenade Launcher; 12 9 mm pistols and one Chinese grenade.

Moreover a total of 645 rounds and 21 magazines of different weapons were laid down before the Army and State police officers, in addition to handing over two radio sets.

The NSCN (Khole) cadres have been identified as SS 2nd/Lt Aloto Yepthomi (26) s/o Khetovi Yepthomi of Jhegshe village in Dimapur, 2nd/Lt Seikam Haokip (28) s/o Henjang Haokip of Phaipijang village in Dimapur, SS Sgt Maj Thangboi Sitlhou (29) s/o Jangsat Sitlhou of Phaipijang, SS 2nd/Lt Tsukhumong Yimchungru Jangru alias Amung (23) s/o Royim Jangru of Old Sobha in Dimapur, SS Sgt Maj Tonglen Khongsai alias Toni (25) s/o Seilen Khongsai of Srihima Basti near Ghaspani in Dimapur, SS Cpl Paogoulen Chongloi alias Paogo (20) s/o Haomang Chongloi of Bongkolong village under Peren district of Nagaland, and SS Pvt Khighato Sema (34) s/o Hokuato Sema of Purana Bazar, Model Colony, Dimapur.

The NSCN (Khaplang) cadres included SS Sgt Maj RK Gaikhuamlung alias Alex (24) s/o (L) Ramke of Laisong village in Dima Hasao district, SS Pvt Ngualiabe Nguame (17) s/o Namdeirengbe Nguame of Thingje village in Dima Hasao district (Assam), SS Pvt Igaineing Newme (21) s/o Deisuibe Newme of Laisong village in Dima Hasao district (Assam), SS Pvt Ebenezer Newme (18) s/o Hereiching of Laisong village in Dima Hasao district (Assam), SS Pvt Pohoto Sema alias Saunhaunto Sema (37) s/o Betoja Sema of Bokajan village (Assam) and SS Sgt Maj Rangmai (32) s/o Dirangkoing of Ndunglo village in North Cachar Hill district (Assam).

The FGN cadres are SS Sep Muliang Maxy (25) s/o (L) Chio of Kingni village in Tuensang district of Nagaland, SS Pvt Doso (20) s/o (L) Yansemong of Sotokur village in Tuensang, SS Pvt Lotharong (19) s/o Shitopong of Sotokur village, SS Pvt Jangba (20) s/o Zungkum of Yekor village in Tuensang district, SS Cpl Yimkong (23) s/o Jenkeu of Sotokur village, SS Pvt Hanruthong Yim (22) s/o Among Yim of Zanger village, Khipre (Nagaland), and SS Pvt Niotoba (19) s/o Thronghochu of Kuthur in Tuensang district.

SS L/Cpl Md Abdul Malik alias Aboy alias Laingamba (19) s/o Md Abdul Latif of Phugakchao Heibong Yangbi Maning Leikai (Manipur), SS Cpl Md Hibjur Rahman alias Aboy alias Pangalnganba (24) s/o Md Nur Rahman of Sangaiyumpham Pt-II Cherapur Lamding Mathak Leikai in Thoubal district and SS Cpl Aribam Sherik Khan alias Ithem (23) s/o (L) Aribam Kiyamuddin Khan of Sangaiyumpham Meirel Khul, also in Thoubal district have been identified as the PULF (MI Khan) cadres who surrendered today.

cadres of the NNC who joined the surrender ceremony included SS Sgt Chemong (20) s/o Ngon of Vui village in Tuensang district and SS Cpl Liang Padongshiv (20) s/o Tsangmong of Tohonoknyu village in Tuensang district.

The lone KYKL cadre had been identified as SS Cpl Moirangjao Ravi alias Tatol (30) s/o Ningthemjao Singh of Irengbam Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district while the UNLF duo are said to be SS Oinam Guneshwar alias Chairenlakpa (33) s/o O Samungou of Thanga Chingkha Maning Leikai in Bishnupur district and SS Pvt Tongbram Mitlang alias Babuthoi (33) of Nongmaikhong Makha Keikai in Thoubal district.

Robin K Chirr (25) s/o Kitsumong Chirr of Zanger village in Kipihiri district (Nagaland) also came forward to join the mainstream.