43 UG cadres lay down arms
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 07 2023: Forty-three cadres of different UG groups including a woman laid down arms before Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the Banquet Hall of 1st Manipur Rifles, Imphal today.

Attending the function as chief guest, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that confidence and trust building are the key elements for a strong and united Manipur and India.

He said the Government has its doors wide open at all times for anyone willing to give up arms and join the mainstream.

The Chief Minister further emphasized that unity and cooperation among all sections of the people is the need of the hour for building a better Manipur and united India.

"Despite the collective and painstaking efforts of the security forces and Government's War Against Drugs for total eradication of illegal drugs in the State, it is very unfortunate that a few sections of the people resorted to immature acts of making mockery of the Government's initiatives," he lamented.

N Biren Singh informed that the Government is providing rehabilitation benefits under the Ministry of Home Affairs' Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 for the youths to come back to the mainstream.

Speaking at the occasion, DGP P Doungel stated that counter insurgency operations alone are not enough to solve the issues of insurgency.

He highlighted that the Government is keen to have talks and bring home all the "misguided" youths of the State.

"Till today, 644 UG cadres have come back home to start a new life.

They were screened and accepted by the Surrendering Committee.

Altogether 108 surrendered cadres of different UG groups are now in camps under the surrender scheme of the MHA," DGP Doungel added.

The DGP further stated that under the able leadership of the Chief Minister and guidance of the Home Department with cooperation from security agencies, the Government will continue to bring all those who have strayed from normal lives to the mainstream to ensure peace in the State.

The 43 cadres of different UG groups included 13 cadres of KYKL, 5 from PLA/RPF, 5 from KCP-N, 11 from KCP, 5 from another outfit, 1 from PREPAK, 2 from PREPAK (Pro) and one from NSCN (U) .

Weapons and gadgets they surrendered included 19 arms consisting of AK series rifles, pistols, hand grenades, hand-held sets, IED and live ammunition, among others.

It may be mentioned that the revised scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Ministry of Home Affairs includes a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each surrendered cadre.

The amount is to be kept in a bank in their names as fixed deposit for a period of three years.

They are also paid a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 per person additionally with incentives for surrendered weapons.

The surrendered cadres will stay in rehabilitation camps for three years.

The homecoming ceremony was attended by Ministers, MLAs and various high ranking officials of the Government and central security forces.

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