IMPHAL, February 6: The state government has received feelers from a faction of the KYKL desiring return to the mainstream, said the state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a meeting with media persons today.
The Chief Minister also spoke on certain other issues including the demands of the Village Defence Force and on the issue of the recent drug consignment seized from the Imphal Airport leading to the disbanding of the Special Intelligence Unit.
He said following the rescue of UPPK cadres from Moreh town on February 3 by a Thoubal commando team led by Inspector M Sudhir, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup/Manipur Defence Force (KYKL/MDF) led by one Thouba has sent feelers desiring return to the mainstream.
Though the approach is yet to be deemed official, he added.
“The present development could be a result of the state government’s long appeal to all those who have strayed to discard there weapons and return to the mainstream,” he continued.
Elaborating further, the Chief Minister said even though the outfit which has more than 100 cadres might not come out all at once, the state government welcomes any such realization on the part of armed outfits to lay down arms.
Regarding the general strike called by the VDF in demand of an increase in their pay, he said he has heard of the general strike called by the VDF personnel.
He said that with changing times, prices have increased and their demand for an increase in pay is reasonable and could be talked upon.
“However, calling a general strike without any discussion is not reasonable and is wrong.”
If such a response continues, than we will leave a legacy of general strikes in the state,” the Chief Minister said.
Regarding the recent case of a drug consignment being seized from the Imphal Airport, the Chief Minister said, the owner of the consignment has been arrested by a team of the Imphal West SP and the arrested person has confessed to be the owner of the drug consignment, he added.
The state government will never take such issues lightly, he said.
