Imphal, May 20 2009: In connection with the tripartite talks between the Centre, the State Government and the KCP (MC) Lallumba group, a Joint Monitoring Group with Additional Chief Secretary Home DS Poonia as its chairman has been established even as steps have been taken up for keeping the cadres of the armed outfit at a temporary camp to be set up at Jiribam while the peace process is underway.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable said that in addition to the approval given by the State Cabinet during its meeting yesterday on signing an agreement to enter peace talks with KCP (MC) Lallumba group, a joint monitoring group to be led by Additional Chief Secretary Home DS Poonia as its chairman has been formed.

IG Intelligence, representatives of Union Home Ministry, Army and Assam Rifles would be the members of the Joint Monitoring Group which will meet every month.

Following the go ahead signal given by the State Cabinet in September last year, peace process with KCP (MC) Lallumba group began with a view to stop extortion activities and encourage the armed cadres to join the mainstream.

Consequently, a joint meeting chaired by Chief Secreatry had also been held in December last year.

Attended by Additional Chief Secretary Home DS Poonia, DGP Y Joykumar, IG Intelligence LM Khoute and representatives of Army and Assam Rifles as well from the side of the State and the Central Government, during the said meeting the outfit which was represented by five of its leaders raised the proposal for a special package on rehabilitation of the cadres by the Government.

In the second round of meeting held in March this year with Union Home Secretary in the chair it was decided that a temporary camp would be set up for the armed cadres of the outfit at Jiribam where the Government is planning to establish a permanent rehabilitation cum training centre spreading over an area of 5 acres.

Once the agreement on peace talk is signed, no security forces would launch any operation against the outfit and all its cadres have to put up at the temporary camp, the source informed, adding that none of the cadres would be allowed to move around with arms and in uniform and their arms have to be deposited and kept double-locked at the camp.

Conveying that the rate of the arms has already finalised by the Government, the source further disclosed that payment of monthly stipend of Rs 4000 to every cadres and Rs 10,000 to their leaders has also been included in the rehabilitation package to be provided from the side of the Govt.Furthermore, the Government would keep aside a sum of Rs 5 crores towards imparting vocational training to the cadres who would be putting up at the camp, the source informed, adding that as the Home Ministry is to refund all the expenses on the rehabilitation measures to be taken up after signing of the agreement, the State Government also has recommended to the Centre for extending the rehabilitation package as well.

The exact number of the cadres of the outfit is, however, likely to be finalised after a joint verification, the source added.

On the other hand, another source informed that the details of the special rehabilitation package to be given to the outfit by the Government under its Surrender cum Rehabilitation Policy had been discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary on May 8 .

Even as the Government has given necessary instructions to all concerned for taking up necessary measures in connection with monitoring possible violation of the agreement to be signed either by the security forces or the outfit, the IGAR (South) has communicated to the Government stating that his force has no objection to signing of the proposed agreement.

It may be noted here that under a similar tripartite agreement, Suspension of Operation has already been signed with Kuki outfits operation in the State.

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