Peace inevitable for development of state: CM
14 UTLA (J) cadres lay down arms; CM urges all to trust Amit Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, June 01 2022:
Fourteen cadres of the armed United Tribal Liberation Army-James (UTLA-J), including its chairman Tonthang Singsit, laid down arms and ammunition before Chief Minister N Biren Singh during a Homecoming Ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion, Manipur Rifles here on Wednesday.
The surrendered weapons included two KH-33 rifles, one AK rifle, one A1 rifle, one A2 rifle, three single barrel rifles and three side arms along with one Chinese hand grenade.
18 gelatine sticks, 18 detonators, and assorted ammunition.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, CM Biren remarked that violence will not bring any solution and urged all youth who had taken up arms to return to the national mainstream.
He also recalled that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's words during a recent visit to the state that not a single bullet would be fired on those militants who want to return to normal life and join the national mainstream, and also no FIR would be lodged against them unless they are involved in a heinous crime.
Thus, he urged all concerned to trust the union home minister's words.
Stating that there will be development only when there is peace, the CM said that in the last five years, the state has witnessed rapid growth in development in various fields due to improvement in law and order, both in the hills and the valley.
Manipur would be able to compete with other states only when there is inclusive development irrespective of geographical differences, he added.
He also highlighted that under the revised scheme for Surrender cum Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East State, 2018 of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, rehabilitation benefits to be given to the surrendered cadres include a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each surrendered, which is to be kept in their respective bank accounts as a fixed deposit for a period of three years; monthly stipends of Rs 6000 per person and incentives for surrendered weapons.
Surrendered cadres will stay in a rehabilitation camp for a period of three years where they would be given training of various vocational courses.
Biren also conveyed that a Screening Committee with ADG/IG Special Branch as chairman is working out on identification and rehabilitation of cadres.
The Committee comprises various security agencies like Army, Assam Rifles, Central Paramilitary Forces, SIB, State Police, State Administration, etc.
Expressing happiness over the steps taken up by the Committee, Biren also stated that since 2005, 681 militants were approved for rehabilitation and out of these, 638 of them completed rehabilitation and returned to normal life.
As of now, 43 surrendered militants are undergoing rehabilitation and vocational training, he added.
The CM then said: "We are siblings and not enemies".
He, however, asserted: "Our government will leave no stones unturned in exterminating anti-state activities at the earliest".
He then reiterated the appeal to all the underground outfits operating in the state to come out and give up arms before it is too late.
"We will find a solution for the issues through dialogue and negotiations," he said.
UTLA (J) is a Kuki militant outfit and operates mainly in the hill districts of the state.
Ministers Letpao Haokip, L Susindro Meitei, Khashim Vashum, Nemcha Kipgen, MLAs, chief secretary, director general of police, state officials among others attended the homecoming ceremony.
According to PRO IGAR (S), Phundrei Battalion of IGAR (S) along with Manipur Police successfully persuaded the homecoming of 14 cadres of United Tribal Liberation Army (James) .
In a release, the PRO informed that security forces complimented the cadres for their decision and wished that all those who have chosen the wrong path, join back into the mainstream and live a happy and peaceful life.
Families of the surrenderees also expressed their gratitude to the security forces for safely bringing their loved ones back to the family, the PRO informed.
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