Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 15: Fifty seven cadres of various underground outfits surrendered with arms before Manipur Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh today in a surrender ceremony held at HQ IGAR (South) at Mantripukhri, Imphal. The CM said the government will conduct a probe into the blast which took place at PWD office. Employees will also be scanned and entry of vehicles will also be restricted.
Security measures have been tightened in and around PWD head office, Khuyathong where a powerful time bomb blasted injuring three employees yesterday.
A cabinet meeting held yesterday decided to issue pass for the entry inside the complex. The employees were allowed to enter the office after proper verification today.
Meanwhile Manipur PWD employees assn. expressed dissatisfaction over the blast yesterday. The assn. urged the concerned not to repeat such incident in future.
The 57 cadres of UG outfits who surrendered today were UNLF 5, PULF (AZAD) 15, PULF (UF) 2, PULF (MI KHAN) 1, KCP (MTF) 1, PREPAK (VC) 2, PREPAK 6, KCP (CITY MEITEI) 1, KCP 2, KCP (TABONGIA) 1, PREPAK (PRO) 1, PRA 1, PLA 6, KNLF 6, KYKL 4, UTLA 2 and NSCN (K) 1.
Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh said that cadres of various extremist outfits entering into the peace initiatives is a significant trend and their decision to come back to the mainstream is extremely detrimental to the development of the State. The Chief Minister assured that the outfit’s initiative for peace would be honoured and the government would also make its best efforts to redress their grievances.
Terming it as very unfortunate the violation of Ground Rules by some of the groups under SoO, which lead to public out-cry and criticism, the Chief Minister stated that SoO should not be used as a shield to carry on extortion and unlawful activities. This is against the principle of SoO and cannot be tolerated, he added and appealed to such groups to give up such violations forthwith and cooperate in the larger public interest.
The Chief Minister appealed to all other UG outfits which are not under SoO to shun the path of violence and enter into the peace process for peace and prosperity in the State. He also congratulated the HQ IGAR (South) for their efforts to bring back various UG outfits to the mainstream.
Shri Joy Kumar Singh, DGP Manipur, Major General UK Gurung, YSM, IGAR (South) and DIG/SP Imphal West Shri Kailun, Officers and Jawans of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police were also present during the surrender ceremony.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/57-militants-lay-down-arms-probe-into-pwd-blasts-to-cover-employees-cm/
