Imphal: In a significant boost to the state’s law and order, 20 cadres from four different outfits state surrendered with arms and ammunition in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
A homecoming ceremony was organised at the banquet hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles organised by the state home department.
The cadres, who have decided to join the mainstream, include 16 from the Thadou People’s Liberation Army (TPLA), two from United National Liberation Front (UNLF), one each from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK (Pro).
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The surrendered arms and ammunition include one AK-56 Rifle, one M-15 Rifle, one MK-33 Rifle, one Uzi SMG, one Lathod gun, one Glock 19 pistol, six 9mm pistols, two .32 pistols, one .22 pistol, and 75 assorted ammunitions.
CM Biren Singh said the central government’s development policy for northeastern states had witnessed a change after Narendra Modi became the country’s Prime Minister.
The chief minister assured the surrendered cadres that the government would never disappoint them. Informing that the state now has a comprehensive surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme under which they would get different rehabilitation benefits, Singh said that the state government would help them lead a dignified life with suitable livelihood means.
“I am happy that people are now realising and started coming back in the mainstream so that they also can join in the development and the peace processing of the government,” Singh added.
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Addressing the event, director-general of police, Manipur LM Khaute informed that the surrender process was facilitated by the 38 Battalion Assam Rifles, state police, and civil society organisations.
“The surrendered ceremony is a real homecoming in the real sense of the term. The government will give all the necessary incentives and packages as envisaged under the Centre’s latest surrender policy,” said DGP Khaute.
During the occasion, a cheque of Rs 58.44 lakh was given to those surrendered cadres belonging to TPLA and another Rs 16 lakh was given to four cadres of the valley-based groups.
Under the revised scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the northeast states, rehabilitation benefits include a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each cadre, which is to be kept in a bank under their name in a fixed deposit for three years. They will stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years, during which they will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 each. Incentives for surrendered weapons have also been provided.
