Imphal, January 19: Surrenderees at the Manipur Rehabilitation Centre in Imphal have exhibited their hidden talents at the ongoing two day Handicraft Exhibition in Imphal today.

The exhibition of handicrafts by the inmates of Manipur Rehabilitation Centre which was inaugurated today, also featured threadbare discussion on how the surrenderees can improve their lifestyles after leaving their erstwhile underground life.

During the programme, the surrenderees highlighted their numerous plight.

The former militants expressed their concerns for their future well beings.

They demanded from the Government arrangement of computer instructors and other relevant vocational trainers to educate them.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Principal Secretary P Saratchandra assured that views and opinions of the surrenderees would be forwarded to the State authority for further recommendation and implementation at the earliest.

He encouraged the former militants to shape their own personalities, to have the right attitude and also advised them not to indulge in hurting one's self.

Col Vikramjit CO of 39 Assam Rifles who also spoke on the occasion, suggested that if the need arises, placement/jobs can be created outside the state for the surrenderees through the State Government so that the former militants along with their families can peacefully live without any threat.

At the end of the exhibition programmes, Col Vikramjit along with social worker Amrik Singh Pahwa distributed washable breathing masks to the general public to protect themselves from the ever increasing pollution level in Imphal areas.

It is worth recalling that State Govt had earlier decided to increase the monthly stipends of surrendered militants from their previous stipend of Rs 2000 per month to Rs 4000 per month.

The decision to raise the monthly salaries of surrendered militants was taken in a Cabinet meeting held few days ago.

The Cabinet had also decided the extension of the payment period up to 60 months as against the earlier payment period of 24 months.

Apart from it, the Cabinet has also given its approval to increase the grant given to a surrendered militant to Rs 5 lakhs from the existing Rs 1.5 lakhs.

It also approved of providing accommodations including family accommodation in a safe and secured complex to be provided with all the necessary facilities like shopping, entertainment, education, health care and vocational training.

In addition, it will also have a production centre and marketing facilities for the products produced at the complex.

The cabinet has also decided to set up the complex at Jiribam, bordering Assam in Imphal East district.

Last December, the surrendered Manipur militants camped at the state Rehabilitation Centre for Surrendered Militants at Lamphel in Imphal West had threatened to launch agitation if the State Government does not induct them into active services.

Currently, there are around 20 ex-cadres of the banned militants including from the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), People's United Liberation Front (PULF), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) among others in the camp.

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