Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren welcomed 36 cadres of the Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA) and a cadre of PREPAK (Pro) in a homecoming ceremony here on Friday.
Biren Singh said it was an achievement as the largest number of cadres laid down arms since the formation of the 2.0 government.
The Chief Minister said the Northeast states had gone through significant changes in terms of development and economic matters. Many cadres of underground outfits have come out and joined the mainstream to take part in the development work, having faith in the governance of the present government.
Stating that the government aims to bring equal development across the state, keeping no difference in hill and valley areas, he spoke on various infrastructure development projects taken up in the state. He also mentioned that various welfare schemes initiated by the government had made it possible for the public to save some of their earnings, which were earlier spent on basic needs. Such welfare initiatives have helped in upgrading the standard of living of the people, he added.
N. Biren further informed that, apart from rehabilitation benefits provided to surrendered cadres, they would be given priority in the recently launched ‘One Family, One Pension’ Scheme of the State Government. He mentioned that this will facilitate them in earning their livelihood and in educating their children, he mentioned.
The Chief Minister stated that development could only be brought about when peace prevailed. And it is through the people’s support in the last six years that the state has been able to progress towards development. Continuing that the state had hosted many national and international events, he maintained that the state has become a preference for hosting such events.
He appealed to the public to refrain from bandhs and blockades and rather come up with their grievances so that amicable solutions could be found. He further appealed to the public to join hands and work together for a better and more developed Manipur.
Concluding his speech, he appreciated the Police Department, Intelligence Bureau, Special Investigation Branch, Army, and other paramilitary forces for their efforts to bring cadres of various underground outfits to the mainstream.
It is worth mentioning that under the Revised Scheme for Surrender-Cum Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018 of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, rehabilitation benefits given to the surrendered cadres include a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakhs to each surrendered cadre, which is to be kept in a bank account in their names as fixed deposits for a period of three years. Apart from this, a monthly e of Rs. 6,000 per person and incentives for surrendering weapons. They will stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years.Â
The arms and ammunition surrendered by the cadres were four AK series rifles, one.22 rifle, one 303 rifle, one single barrel, one carbine, four pistols, two hand grenades, and 540 assorted rounds of ammunition.
