IMPHAL, May 24: The state government will take up construction works of designated camps along with financial assistance from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Government of India for cadres of underground organizations joining the peace process.
This was stated by Dr. J. Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) while speaking at UPPK Home coming ceremony and signing of MOU held at Banquet hall of 1st Bn MR, Imphal today.
He further said that the government will take up all possible measures so as to ensure UG cadres joining the peace process to settle down to a normal life at the earliest. Cadres joining the peace process will be awarded Rs 2. 5 lakhs as part of a rehabilitation package and the said amount will be deposited in the bank as fixed deposit for two years. However, the said amount will be allowed to be used as collateral guarantee to mobilize loans for self-employment programs. Besides, cadres will be given Rs 4,000/- each every month as stipend for their own expenditure, he said. Dr. J. Suresh Babu added that the said amount will be given for two years for which the central government had released Rs 14 crores for the expenditure of UG groups joining peace process till the last week of the current month.
He said that the first batch consisting of 51 cadres were 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 cadres were extricated on March 19, 2013 through the Nagaland border from the camp at TAKA located in Myanmar. Finally one S/S Major was extricated in the third operation on April, 2013 from Heikol camp in Myanmar. Throughout these operations, the 27 Assam Rifles played a key role in terms of tactical support, manpower support and therefore in hosting the group with them till date, Dr. J. Suresh Babu added.