68 UGs surrender before Biren

Senior PLA leader Jame among those who returned to mainstream

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 14

Chief minister N. Biren Singh, today said violence is no solution to any problem and that differences can be resolved only through dialogue.

The chief minister was addressing a home coming ceremony organised for surrendered militants held today at 1st Manipur Rifles banquet hall.

Altogether 68 militants of different ranks and files belonging to different groups operating in the state surrendered before chief minister with arms.

Senior PLA leader Jame was among the notable to decide to call the armed resistance quits.

Calling on those who are yet to join the mainstream and presently taking shelter in Myanmar to come forward, he asserted that the government’s door is kept wide open.

Biren assured that security and welfare of the surrendered militants will be given top priority.

He divulged that his government has reviewed the previous ‘surrender policy’ of the state with a better one taking into consideration various aspects of the constant changes around us.

Maintaining that the state government is waiting for the approval of the new policy from the ministry of home affairs, Biren expressed his optimism.

Lauding the decision of the surrendered militants to join the mainstream, he urged the surrenderees to extend their co-operation to protect and safeguard the nation and state towards a better future.

He also appealed to those who have decided to join the mainstream to come forward without any fear while assuring all possible help from the government.

Maintaining that the state has got huge potential to shine if given a chance, he said it was high time we give peace a chance to Manipur.

The homecoming ceremony was attended by Cabinet ministers, MLAs, top brass of security forces including Police, Assam Rifles, CRPF etc.

Of the total surrendered militants 17 were members of the UNLF, 23 KCP, four KYKL, seven PLA, 10 Prepak and eight cadres of Prepak (Progressive).

While the identities of almost all the militants were concealed, high ranking officers were amongst the surrendered militants including a brigadier, Majors, captains, lieutenants, sergeant majors etc.

It has been informed that the militant cadres came along with several weapons but only eight were put on display during the ceremony which include three AK series rifles, one M-16, lethode launcher and three handguns.

The remaining weapons, the number of which was not disclosed, are reportedly under verification.

Jaame alias Uttam, senior RPF/PLA leader, speaking during the ceremony, claimed that he decided to come to the mainstream after realizing the futility of armed struggle which is leading to nowhere. Jaame reportedly joined the group in the year 1979.

“During my over 30 years experience in the armed struggle I realize that the struggle is not making any headway. What I witnessed was only bloodshed, many have been killed including civilians, friends, security forces”, said Jaame.

He observed that it was high time the insurgent groups of the North Eastern states particularly Manipur to enter into cease-fire agreement with the governments and start political dialogue.

The same policy is adopted by major insurgent groups in neighbouring Myanmar who are far more powerful than insurgency groups in North Eastern states, he asserted.