IMPHAL, May 6: A group of former cadres of the KYKL, PLA and UNLF who had surrendered before the government has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on May 5 seeking implementation of their rehabilitation scheme, which they said had been assured to them during their surrender programme.
Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club today, they threatened to resort to legal recourse if the government fails to consider their appeal.
`The Government has befooled us with false assurance of government jobs and normal mainstreaming but till date we are left high and dry without any avenues for survival and protection forthcoming` lamented Wahengbam Premananda Singh alias Ranjan alias Ipu during the press meeting.
Another member Ningthoujam Thoiba alias Gopen said, `An SDPO had wooed us into giving up arms and with great risk we had surrendered before the government trusting that the government will safeguard us and provide us a livelihood.`
Eight of us from KYKL surrendered with four pistols, however, till date the government has not given us any incentive even for these small arms, said Akoijam Bashanta Meitei alias Fighter.
He continued, `We face a lot of discrimination in society; as such our livelihood options are narrowed. Our mobility is also constrained by the threats from our former groups.`
Wahengbam Premananda stated, `In dire state I had gone to earn as a casual labourer in Wangoi but I was rearrested by Thoubal Police. I was released some seven months back and yet I am ordered to report every Sunday.`
They said they had surrendered in June 2012, January 2013, March 2013 and April 2013 in small groups during lavished celebrations hosted by the State government and were promised of jobs and protection, but now most of us work as masons.
We deserted our respective underground groups with the assurance of the government to support our mainstreaming but we are shocked at their total apathy to our deplorable situation. Such indifference with discourage others to surrender in future, said Khangembam Joychandra alias Joyradha alias Mangalpiba.