At least 20 militants belonging to four insurgent groups in Manipur surrendered before Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday and laid down their weapons.
The cadres, who sought to join the mainstream, included 16 from Thadou People’s Liberation Army (TPLA), two from United National Liberation Front and one each from PLA and PREPAK (Pro).
They handed over one AK-56 Rifle, one M-15 Rifle, one MK-33 Rifle, one Uzi SMG, one Lathod gun, one Glock 19 pistol, six 9mm pistols, two .32 pistols, one .22 pistol and 75 assorted ammunitions.
Singh, while welcoming the insurgents to the mainstream, assured that the state government would support them for their rehabilitation. "Narendra Modi government is trying to develop states in the Northeast and bring them at par with rest of the country. But peace is essential for that to happen," Singh said.
Those who surrendered will be provided Rs 4 lakh as a fixed deposit and Rs. 6,000 per month for three years, during which they will live in rehabilitation camps, under the revised scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the Northeast.
The Chief Minister also urged members of all other armed outfits to come to the negotiating table and join the mainstream. Manipur still has several active insurgent groups.
(Published 09 March 2021, 13:07 IST)
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