IMPHAL, Aug 30: The state government has recently decided to extend the existing tripartite agreement of understanding with the valley based KCP (MC)- Lallumba group for another one year beyond August 5 in due consideration for the incomplete rehabilitation process.
According to a highly placed official source, the decision of the state government for the extension of tripartite agreement was made as per the clause (v) of the agreement of rehabilitation package for the cadres which is to be implemented within a period of 12 months. However, the rehabilitation process is yet to be completed and subsequently the state government finally decided to extend the agreement for another one year commencing from August 5.
It may be mentioned that the tripartite agreement between Government of India (MHA) Government of Manipur and KCP(MC)-Lallumba group was signed in Imphal on August 6 last year.
It is the first valley-based insurgent group to have entered into such agreement with the government which have a total strength of 125 cadres including 11 leaders, one of the cadre expired during January this year and one of the leader is under detention at Tihar Jail.
It may also be recalled that the state cabinet has approved the revised rehabilitation package for KCP (MC)-Lallumba on November 3, 2009 and another cabinet decision held on July 15 last year stipend was enhanced to Rs.3,500 per cadre per month. There is provision for financial assistance at the rate of Rs.5 lakhs per leader and Rs.2.5 lakhs per cadre. Provision for weapon incentive is also there. The cadres/leaders have been paid stipends from August last year till June 2011. The rehabilitation package is charged under the head of accounts grant No.7 – Major Head 2055-Police (NP) ; Sub-Major 00; Minor 001- Direction and Administration; sub-head 01- Direction; Detailed 05- Security Related Expenditure; Object 50-other charges, which is fully reimbursable by Central government under SRE, source added.
The source further mentioned that immediately after the signing of the agreement, the group was sent to Art of Living Centre at Pune for rehabilitation programme arranged by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. They were trained in meditation techniques and soft skills for the initial 15 days. Thereafter, vocational training started from September 1 till November 15 last year at Kohinoor, a reputed Rune-based technical Institute. Training was imparted in the trades of computers, mobile repairing, electrical and AC/Refrigeration.
It is also mentioned that, the Art of Living Pune also arranged for jobs for the cadres after completion of vocational training. In all 80 out of 122 opted for placement and started earning between Rs.5-6 thousand per month. The other 42, including all the leaders, return back to Imphal soon after training. Subsequently, by January, this year all the cadres returned to Imphal for personal reason.
The source further mentioned that, a camp was departmentally constructed by PHQ at 8th MR Leikun campus in Chandel district to house these cadres after return from Pune. However, in view of local protests at Chandel district, the KCP(MC)-Lallumba cadres could not be sent to their designated camp. They have since been accommodated at 7th MR Khabeisoi.
It is also mentioned that, as per the agreement, there is a Joint Monitoring Group to oversee implementation of the tripartite agreement which is headed by the ADGP Cum Nodal officer LM Khoute and includes representatives of MHA, Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF and SIB and the concerned UG group as members.
The leaders of the KCP(MC)-Lallumba group have conveyed the interest of their cadres in recruitment to the Army and other Central Para Military Forces formations. State home department has sent application forms of 61 cadres to ITBP, 17 to BSF and 12 SSB for the post of constables (tradesmen). MHA and CPMF Directorates were also requested for necessary relaxation in terms of recruitment norms as a special case for these cadres. Assam Rifles has arranged training programme for the interested cadres in Agriculture and allied activities at Central Agricultural University (CAU). The project related to transport sector in respect of four cadres is under process for approval, mentioned the official source.
In the meantime, state government before taking the decision for the extension of the tripartite agreement with KCP(MC)-Lallumba group, state home department sought comments and views from MHA, Army, Assam Rifles, BSF and SIB on the issue of continuation of Tripartite agreement beyond August 5.
In reply DIG, BSF, IG, CRPF, IG, AR South, and DGP have given their views on the necessities of extension of the tripartite agreement with the outfit as the cadres have abstained from anti-national activities and there is perceptible decline in violent incident in the state. The process of rehabilitation of these cadres may be accorded priority.
With these views and comments made from the official in JMG state government has decided for the extension of tripartite agreement with KCP(MC)-Lallumba group for another one year beyond August 5, the source added.