IMPHAL: In all 57 cadres of various underground outfits on Thursday laid down arms before Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in a surrender ceremony here.
The 57 cadres of UG outfits, who surrendered, belonged to UNLF, PULF (AZAD), PULF(UF), PULF(MI KHAN), KCP(MTF), PREPAK(VC), PREPAK, KCP(CITY MEITEI), KCP, KCP(TABONGIA), PREPAK(PRO), PRA, PLA6, KNLF, KYKL, UTLA and NSCN(K).
Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister said cadres of various extremist outfits entering into the peace initiative was a significant trend and their decision to come back to the mainstream was extremely beneficial to the development of the state.
The Chief Minister assured that the outfit’s initiative for peace would be honoured and the government would also spare no pains to redress their grievances. Terming it as very unfortunate the violation of Ground Rules by some of the groups under SoO, which led to public out-cry and criticism, the Chief Minister stated that SoO should not be used as a shield to carry on extortion and unlawful activities.
This was against the principle of SoO and could not be tolerated, he said and appealed to such groups to give up such violation forthwith and cooperate in the larger public interest.
The Chief Minister appealed to all other UG outfits, which were not under SoO, to shun the path of violence and enter into the peace process for peace and prosperity in the state.
He also congratulated the HQ IGAR (South) for their efforts to bring back various UG outfits to the mainstream.
Joy Kumar Singh, DGP Manipur, Major General UK Gurung, YSM, IGAR (South) and DIG/SP Imphal West Shri Kailun, officers and jawans of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police were also present during the surrender ceremony. (UNI)
