Source:
Jiribam, July 17 2013: Altogether 45 cadres of the underground United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA), including its Chairman, SK Thadou, have surrendered during a simple ‘Home Coming ceremony’ held today at Inspection Bungalow, Kadamtala, Jiribam before the Joint Secretary (NE), MHA, Govt of India, Shambu Singh.
They are the last cadres of the underground group UTLA (SK Thadou) to surrender before the Government.
Besides Shambu Singh, Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur, Suresh Babu and high ranking officials of the Assam Rifles attended the surrender ceremony.
Speaking at the occasion, Shambu Singh described the ceremony as another big step towards peace initiative and appealed to all the underground groups to abjure the path of violence and join the mainstream.
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Lauding the efforts of the stakeholders involved in the process of surrender, Shambu Singh also said that the home coming of the cadres shows that peace and normalcy is not very far from the State while asserting that the Central Govt would be seriously looking into the developmental issues and ensure implementation of necessary works.
Principal Secretary (Home), Suresh Babu praised the cadres for their courage and wisdom in choosing to become responsible citizens of the State and contribute to progressive realisation of people’s peace aspirations.
Reiterating that security forces on their part would continue to encourage all such endeavours by all insurgent groups both collectively and individually and should continue to act as facilitator in their rehabilitation, the Principal Secretary also appreciated the tireless efforts of the Jiribam based Assam Rifles Battalion for facilitating the entire process.
SK Thadou, Chairman of UTLA said that they have laid down arms as they desired peace.
With this, all the sub-factions of UTLA have now joined the peace process which will bring about peace and developments in the general area of Vangai Ridge, Jiribam and adjoining areas.
The cadres have also surrendered 42 arms during the ceremony.
The surrendered arms included nine 9mm pistols; two .32 pistols, six 9mm carbine, one UZI (9mm), two shot guns, six Rifle Bolt Action, three AK-47 rifles, one AK-56 rifle, two M-16 rifles, one 40mm lathod and nine country made guns while the ammunitions surrendered included six rounds of 9mm pistol, 41 rounds of AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of M-16, six long cases of .38, 19 rounds of 7.62mm and two lathod bombs.
via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/45-utla-cadres-lay-down-arms/
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