Imphal, September 28 2010: Security forces and police have been sensitized to intensify vigilance on cross border trade import items, particularly electronic and toy items from Myanmar into the state through Moreh as UGs are smuggling explosives like hand grenades and small arms by concealing them in these trades items, said DGP, Y Joykumar today, a day after detection of underground activists ferrying hand grenades concealed in table lamps.

Talking to newsmen at the sidelines of a surrender ceremony of 12 cadres of Pankan Reunification Army (PRA) held today at the IGAR (South) complex, Mantripukhri, the DGP said that police and security forces have been on alert to check smuggling of these items from Myanmar taking advantage of the cross border trade in Moreh.

Police and security forces at the international border and along the Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-39 were already on alert to check such smuggling and they have now been asked to intensify their alert, Joykumar said.

Mention may be made that police had detected UGs carrying hand grenades concealed in table lamps by activists of KCP (MC)-Lamyanba Khuman yesterday.

Earlier, there had been instances of carrying grenades concealed in fish cans.

In the formal ceremony held today, 12 militants of a lesser known militant outfit Pankan Reunification Army (PRA), operating mostly in Chandel and Churachandpur districts surrendered before the Manipur DGP, Y Joykumar and IGAR (S), CA Krishnan with seven arms and ammunitions including one AK-56 rifle and a G-4 LMG rifle.

The surrendered militants included secretary of the outfit Nungchin (53) hailing from Mankang village of Chandel district.

He surrendered with two flags of the outfit white self styled major SK Samuel Lamkang of Saktaikarong village of Chandel district and self styled major A Thangboi Vaphei of Phaiphe village of Churachandpur district surrendered with the AK rifle and the G-4 rifle.

Others surrenderers were, James of Komlathabi village, Kh Mark of Betuk village of Chandel district, R Thomson, Ch Pelson Moyon, Andrew, and N.Thomas, all from Makang village of Chandel, SK Jhonson of Saktaikarang village, Chandel, Sangte Vaiphei of Turbung village,Churachandpur district and Momon Vaiphei of the same village with the former.

The surrendered arms were one .22 Colt Magnum Pistol (Made in USA) with magazine loaded with 11 live rounds, 6.35 mm Star Pistol (Made in Spain) with a magazine with eight live rounds in it, 7.65 mm pistol with magazine containing nine live rounds and two 9mm pistols with three magazines with 20 live rounds.

They also surrendered one each of ICOM RS, battery I COM RS, Whip antenna, battery charger of I COM RS, RS Kenwood, battery RS Kenwood, Whip Antenna RS Kenwood and battery Charge and two flags of PRA handing them over to the DGP and IGAR (South).

The peaceful "home coming " of these militants is the eventual outcome of continuous and sustained efforts by Units under 26 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR(South) in motivating family and relatives of these militants to enable them join the mainstream, a statement of the IGAR (South) said.

Further talking at the ceremony, DGP Y Joykumar assured that the government will ensure to provide a way for their future lives under the existing surrender policy.

The DGP also welcomed the youth to the mainstream of civil society praising the peaceful surrender of the cadres.

The state needs a peaceful conducive atmosphere to push forward in development, he said adding that their surrender to the security forces paves the way to bring peace in the state.

Major General CA Krishnan, IGAR(South) who also spoke on the occasion said that such a large scale surrender by young people will prove to be a beacon for other misguided youth to lay down their arms, abjure violence and return to the main stream.

Family members of the surrendered cadres witnessed the surrender programme.

They expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles in ensuring the misguided youth to get back into the mainstream in time and to avail an opportunity to lead a better life, a statement of the IGAR (S) said.

With the 12 militants surrendered today, as many as 70 militants have surrendered to the Assam Rifles in this current year with 56 arms.

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