CM assures scheme benefit to surrendered cadres
Homecoming ceremony of 36 CKLA cadres including chairman & one PREPAK (PRO) cadre held
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 21 2023: Around 36 cadres of the proscribed Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA) including its chairman Saikhomang Baite and a cadre of PREPAK (Progressive) surrendered and laid down arms before chief minister N Biren Singh during a homecoming ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, here, on Friday.

During the homecoming ceremony, which was organised by the Home Department, the cadres also surrendered arms and ammunition including four AK series rifles, one .22 rifle, one 303 rifle, one single barrel, one carbine, four pistols, two hand grenades, and 540 assorted ammunition.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, CM Biren welcomed all the surrendered cadres on returning to the mainstream, adding that the homecoming ceremony was one of the largest in terms of number of cadres surrendered in the second term of his government.

The CM continued that the north-eastern states have gone through significant changes in terms of development and economic matters after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.

He maintained that all states in the region, especially Manipur can now compare with other states of mainland India in terms of development and is continuing to march towards further development with the support of the people.

As such, many cadres of underground outfits have come out and joined the mainstream to be a part of developmental process, having faith in the governance of the present government, he contended, while conveying that cadres of other outfits have expressed their intent to return to mainstream society.

The doors of the government are forever open to welcome those who want to return home, he assured.

Stating that the government aims to bring uniform development across the state keeping no difference in hill and valley areas, Biren also referred to various infrastructure development projects taken up in the state including in the hill districts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul.

The various welfare schemes initiated by the government have also made it possible for the public to save some part of their earnings, which were earlier spent on basic needs.

Such initiatives have helped in upgrading the standard of living of the people, he added.

Biren further said that apart from rehabilitation benefits provided to surrendered cadres, they would be given priority in the recently launched 'One Family One Pension' Scheme of the state government.

This will facilitate them in earning their livelihood and in educating their children, he observed.

The CM also stated that development could be brought only when peace prevails.

And it is through people's support in the last 6 years that the state has been able to progress towards development.

Continuing that the state had hosted many events of national and international repute and importance, he maintained that Manipur has become a preference for hosting such events.

He then appealed to the public to refrain from calling bandh and blockades and rather come up with their grievances, so that amicable solutions could be brought out.

He further called upon the masses to join hands and work together for a better and developed Manipur.

Concluding his speech, he appreciated the Police Department, Intelligence Bureau, Special Investigation Branch, Army and other paramilitary forces for their efforts to bring cadres of various underground outfits to the mainstream.

In his speech, DGP P Doungel informed that around 130 surrendered cadres are putting in rehabilitation camps set up by the govern ment.

He mentioned that under the Revised Scheme for Surrender-Cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, rehabilitation benefits given to the surrendered cadres include a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each surrendered cadre, which is to be kept in a bank account in their names as fixed deposits for a period of three years.

Apart from this, monthly stipend of Rs 6000 per person and incentives are provided for surrendering weapons.

They will stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years to facilitate assimilation to the mainstream, he conveyed.

The homecoming ceremony was also attended by cabinet ministers Govindas Konthoujam, Khashim Vashum and others, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, chief secretary, senior civil and police officers of the state government, senior officers of Assam Rifles, CRPF, SIB, IB and BSF among others.

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