Imphal: In a home coming and signing ofSuspension of Operation (SOO) function held here on Monday at 1st Manipur Rifles, 155 militants of four militant outfits laid down arms.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh welcomed all to the national mainstream. He said there are complaints of militants under SOO carrying out illegal activities like extortion, killing and intimidation.
Such activities will not be tolerated he further observed. All those who have come forward will be well looked after he assured. He further appealed to others who have not yet come out to return to the mainstream.
Those who laid down arms included KCP (Nongrenkhomba) with 44 cadres and 26 weapons . Two Kuki groups namely Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) and Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF) also joined the peace process through Suspension of Operation Agreement with the State and Central Governments.
The KNLF will be part of KNO and KRF will be part of UPF. Unlike the groups who joined SoO earlier, these two groups are surrendering weapons to the government. They will be accommodated in the existing SoO camps.
The KNLF has joined peace with 50 cadres and 35 weapons whereas KRF has joined peace with 53 cadres and 30 weapons. KNLF was represented by Helun Haokip (Chairman), Thangboi Khongsai (Army Chief) and Lalmoi Haokip (Secretary).
The KRF was represented by Thanglenlal Doungel (Chairman) and Henkholal Doungel (General Secretary). The KCP (Nongrenkhomba) was represented by Ningthoujam Romen (Commander-in-Chief) and Laishram Guni (Chief of Army).
Eight cadres of KYKL along with four weapons also took part in the function.
All the militants laid down a total of 95 weapons and over a thousand ammunitions and 28 bombs. The arms surrendered included Ak 46, Ak 47, Ak 22, SLR, Carbine, Sten gun, M 16, M 15, M A 1, lethod gun, RPF, mortar and lethode bombs.
Dy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam and others attending the function. (Dr. Suresh Babu) Principal Secretary Home, said the Government of Manipur and the Central Government are making sincere efforts for bringing peace in Manipur.
Over the last one year, many KCP groups like URF with three groups (KCP groups of Lalheiba, Sunil Meitei, Chingkheiganba), KCP (Lamphel) having three groups (KCP groups of Lamphel, Taibanganba and City Meitei), KYKL (MDF) having two groups (KYKL Athouba and Achouba), UPPK have joined peace process. (UNI)