Imphal: Altogether 52 tribal militants surrendered with their weapons on Tuesday before Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, state Home minister Gaikhangam, state Police chief RK Baral and GOC, Red Shield Division Binoy Poonen.
The 52 cadres of United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) led by their chief surrendered at the headquarters of Red Shield Division near Imphal.
Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the government of Manipur will take action against the cadres of those groups who had signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government if they are found to be involved in extortion, kidnapping, etc.
The SoO agreement may even be withdrawn if there are continued violations of the ground rules of the agreement, said Ibobi Singh. He also stated that weapons will not be allowed even at the designated camps. He lauded the Red Shield Division and the state police department for making it possible for the misguided youth to come back into mainstream life abjuring the path of violence, and said the home coming ceremony was a big step in bring peace in the state.
The Chief Minister said that insurgency problem in Manipur is hampering development in the state as a result of which the state is lagging behind other states in many fields. Violence brings chaos and create problems in the state, and so the doors of the government of Manipur is always open for the misguided youth of the state for peace talk on the negotiating table, said Ibobi Singh.
Meanwhile, the 52 UTLA cadres led by their commander-in-chief Robert Singson cadres laid down arms during the ceremony at Leimakhong Headquarters of the Red Shield Division.
Earlier, 43 cadres had declared suspension of operation on October 27, 2011 in a ‘home coming ceremony’. The 52 remaining cadres who could not come forward earlier decided to join the rest of their group for a “peaceful and prosperous Manipur”.
The cadres presented 42 high quality automatic weapons which includes nine weapons which were looted by UTLA during their raid on IRB post (Chekra Cham in South Assam) on November 13, 2009.
The Chief Minister described Tuesday’s ceremony as another big step towards peace initiative and appealed all the militant groups to abjure the path of violence and join the mainstream. He lauded the efforts of the Red Shield Division and was satisfied with the peace initiative taken by the GOC.
He also said that “home coming” of these cadres shows that peace and normalcy is not very far from the State.
Manipur Home Minister Gaikhangam also commended the security forces for their peace endeavours. He said the government has been providing financial assistance and developing infrastructure for resettlement of the underground cadres and expected them to work in the interest of the people. (NNN)