114 UGs surrender to the govt.

IMPHAL, Sep 26: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has said that the prevailing prolonged armed movement in Manipur has not only hindered the development passage but also bred disorder and chaos in the society.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi receives the arm from an UG cadre during home coming ceremony.

Speaking as chief in a “home coming ceremony” held Wednesday at IGAR(S) complex here in which 114 militants laid their arms down before the chief minister, the chief minister said that the armed struggle of the undergrounds in the state has not achieved anything concrete for the peoples of the state.“Instead it has bred disorder and chaos in the society,” he said, rising a question “how long we will suffer all this” and stating that, “we have to find a plausible answer to this question.”

He said, today rapid economic development across the globe is creating unprecedented opportunity for people. However Manipur was lagging behind in this race due to some of its very fundamental weakness. One of these weaknesses is prolonged situation of conflict, he added.

Asserting that today’s home coming ceremony reflects the mindset of our youth, the chief minister said “Their decision is wise”. On the other hand we must fulfill our obligation. They must be embraced and welcomed into the mainstream and assured the surrendered persons that government will make best efforts for their rehabilitation.

Regarding the state developmental program chief minister said that the state government is trying to bring about some path breaking changes in Manipur.

One of the government priority sectors is improving the pathetic power supply condition in the state. So far, his government has initiated a process of total change in the sector by initiating Public-Private partnership.
Initial offers have already been floated to invite capable and specialized private energy entities in Manipur. The government has also identified a number of potential and feasible locations for taking up hydro projects. The aim is to invite non-government expertise and capital to harness the hydro potential of the state, the chief minister said.

Chief Minister further stated that the government has started a comprehensive transmission and distribution reforms. However, he added, due to the prevailing situation of the state, the private entrepreneurs have always avoiding Manipur. In view of our recent initiatives in power sectors many private companies seem to be showing keen interest in the state, he said.

Besides chief minister O Ibobi singh, the home coming ceremony organized by the IGAR(S) was attended by state home minister,Gaikhangam, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) UK Gurung, state DGP Y Joykumar and state home secretary among others.

The 114 cadres who laid their arms down in the ceremony included 16 activists from PULF and its fractions, 18 from UNLF, 17 each from KYKL and PREPAK, 12 from KNLF, nine from various factions of KCP, 13 from PLA, one from UPRF, two from KNLA, six from UPPK and three from UNPC out of this five were women.

Arms they laid down included AK series rifles, lathode guns, carbines and pistols. Wireless sets were also included.