LTT chiefs lay down arms, Biren appeals UG groups to come back to ‘mainstream’

Imphal: Twelve cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tribals (LTT) including its chairman, deputy chairman and army chief laid down their arms and ammunition before Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh at a Homecoming Ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, here on Wednesday.

The surrendered weapons include one M16 rifle, two AK56 rifles, one .22 rifle, one double barrel gun, one carbine, two 9mm pistols, one lathode gun along with one Chinese hand grenade and one hand held set.

Biren congratulated the cadres on their voluntary home coming to the mainstream stating that the cadres have now faith in the Indian Constitution and the governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He reiterated Union home minister Amit Shah’s words that not a single bullet would be fired on those militants who want to return to their normal lives and join the national mainstream and no FIR would be lodged against them unless they are involved in a heinous crime.

He appealed to paramilitary forces, Army and police to keep the Union home minister’s commitment to encourage more cadres of militant groups to come to the mainstream.

He maintained that there shouldn’t be any complicacy in the procedures to be followed for UG groups coming to the mainstream, adding that the state government had opened up a single window facility to facilitate UG groups in coming back.

He expressed satisfaction on high ranking militants joining the mainstream and added that many more are ready to come back. He expressed hopefulness that the state would be able to end militancy in the coming 3 to 4 years through political dialogues and homecomings.

Mentioning that the government has political will and commitment to bring peace in the state, the chief minister instructed the chief secretary and director general of police to disburse the rehabilitation benefits to be given to the home coming cadres timely in time bound manner. Such an initiative would create a positive message towards other militant groups on the steps taken up by the government especially for surrendered cadres, he added.

Biren appealed to all the UG groups to come back to the mainstream stating the political scenario of the state had changed. He appealed to all to take their parts in nation building and in making One India.

Under the eevised scheme for Surrender-Cum Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Union ministry of home affairs, rehabilitation benefits to be given to the surrendered cadres included a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh to each surrendered cadre, which is to be kept in their respective bank accounts as a fixed deposit for a period of three years; monthly stipends of Rs 6000 per person and incentives for surrendered weapons. Surrendered cadres will stay in a rehabilitation camp for a period of three years where they would be given various vocational training.

Cabinet ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, DGP and various top civil, police and military officials attended the Homecoming Ceremony.