Govt keen to rehabilitate surrendered militants : Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2014 : The State Government has been studying security aspects of the Government's rehabilitation policy so that surrendered UG cadres can be rehabilitated properly and they do not feel any insecurity, stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on the floor of the House today in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.

Raising the motion, Ibohalbi cautioned that lack of transparency in the Government's surrender policy can derail all peace initiatives.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also in charge of the Home portfolio stated that there is a surrender/rehabilitation policy under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is in line with this policy that surrender/home coming ceremonies are organised so that UG cadres who have shunned violence can join the mainstream.

There are three categories of surrender.

One is individual surrender.

Second is surrender through MoU and the third is surrender through SoO .

So far, 550 UG cadres have surrendered to the Government at individual level.

The total number of UG cadres who have surrendered through MoU and SoO is 2600.A sum of Rs 2.5 lakh has been deposited in their account and they are being monthly stipend of Rs 4000 in addition to organising vocational training courses so that they can augment their source of income, Gaikhangam informed the House.

Out of all the surrendered cadres, some 3/4 persons have been given Government jobs.

The State Government has also been working hard to provide proper places of accommodation to all the surrendered cadres where they can stay together with their families.

At the same time, the Government has been closely examining the security aspects so that the former militants do not suffer any mishap or tragedy.

As for the final solution, it lies with the Government of India, Gaikhangam stated.

While welcoming cessation of hostility between the State and many UG groups after signing SoO and MoU, Dr Ibohalbi remarked that there are seemingly many grievances among the surrendered UG cadres on account of lack of transparency in the Government's surrender policy.

Eight UG cadres surrendered to the Government on March 8 last year.

After verification, they were accommodated at the commando complex but it appears that they are yet to receive other entitlements.

Their faith and expectations from the Government remain unfulfilled.

He remarked that more and more UG cadres have been surrendering to the Government because of rising splitsville, selfishness among party leadership and the new found faith in the Government.

Ibohalbi went on to ask the details of the Government's rehabilitation package and how the rehabilitation policy is being implemented.

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