IMPHAL, May 24 MNS NNN : The militant outfit United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) today signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Central and Manipur Governments joining the peace process during a home coming ceremony in Imphal at 1st Battalion of Manipur Rifles.
During the ceremony, 80 ultras of the outfit led by its president Achoibam Bonbihari were present and they also deposited a large number of arms and ammunition. Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, severall ministers, the state Chief Secretary, the DGP, GOC, IG (Assam Rifles) and other senior officials attended the function.
UPKK joined the peace process under the leadership of its president Achoibam Bonbihari, general secretary Konthoujam Shanti, chief of army staff Mayengbam Maichon, home secretary Lemba, organizing secretary Lakpa, information and publicity secretary Laishram Brojen alias Khuman, deputy finance secretary Huidrom Angamba Meitei and others.
The first batch consisting of 51 ultras of UPPK was extricated from Myanmar through Tamu and Moreh on February 4, 2013 with the help of Assam Rifles and state police commandos. The second batch consisting of 27 ultras was extricated on March 19, 2013 through Nagaland border from the camp at Taka located in Myanmar.
Finally, one self-styled major of the outfit was later extricated in the third operation on April 17, 2013 from Heikol camp, also in Myanmar.
Throughout these operations the AR played a key role in terms of tactical support, manpower support and thereafter in hosting the group with them till date.
They brought 37 weapons including one SLR, 21 HK-33 rifles, four pistols, two lathod guns, one each of M-22 rifle,
AK-56 rifle, Type 81 rifle, A-4 rifle, A-1rifle, MG A-2, MG M-23, MG MK-3 and RPG. In addition to many hand grenades, the UPPK also deposited 5742 of 5.56 ammunition and 507 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.
The tripartite MoU was signed by Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (NE) on behalf of the Home Ministry and DR J Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) on behalf of the state Government. On behalf of the UPPK, the MoU was signed by the outfit’s president Bonbihari, its home secretary Lemba and chief of army Maichon.
Manipur Government with financial assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs is starting the construction of designated camp to host these ultras, Principal Secretary Suresh Babu said in a statement.
He said every effort will be made to ensure that these ultras who have come forward with a lot of faith in the Government are settled properly very soon.
As part of the rehabilitation package, they will be paid a lump sum of Rs 2.50 lakh which will be kept in fixed deposit for a period of two years, he added.
However, this fixed deposit will be allowed as ‘collateral guarantee’ for mobilizing loans for self-employment programmes, Babu added.
He added in addition every cadre will be paid Rs 4000 per month as stipend for meeting their expenditure for a period of two years while further informing that the Central Government has already released Rs 14 crores in the last week for meeting the expenditure for the groups which have joined peace process till date.
On February 13 this year, several factions of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yaon Kanna Lup (MDF) joined the peace process during a home coming ceremony at the 1st Bn of MR. In all, 200 ultras along with 138 weapons were laid down during the function.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/uppk-inks-mou-with-government/
