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18 July 2009
Imphal, July 17: The Suspension of Operation (SoO) between the government of India, state government and militant groups operating under the two parent bodies of Kuki militant groups which was signed on August 22 last year is about to end its term, said chief minister O Ibobi Singh while replying to a query raised by MLA, K Raina during the question and answer hour in the state Assembly on Thursday.
The chief minister said the ground rules agreed with both organisations i.e. Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) were signed separately. and provide, in brief, that the suspension of operation would be in force for a year with immediate effect from August 22 last year. While the two groups have agreed to abjure the path of violence, the security forces and state police are not to launch any operations against the two groups, the chief minister informed.
He further said a joint monitoring body had been set up to oversee implementation of suspension of operation. Cadres of the two groups were accomodated in the designated camps and it was agreed that any violation would be taken up by the joint monitoring group. Reasonable amounts as per government norms have been paid by the government for maintenance of the cadres of the two groups at the designated camps. Besides, vocational training was also proposed to be provided to the cadres.
Replying to a supplemantary question, the chief minister said the joint monitoring group would discuss the extension of the SoO and if neccesary the SoO would be extended. So far four out of five designated camps proposed by the KNO have been completed and recognised by the government in the areas of Choukhojou and Mongbung in Churachandpur district, Chelet in Chandel district and Sususang in Sadar Hills, along with another designated camp at Bangai Range which is yet to be finalised.
For UPF, six designated camps including Natjang in Sadar Hills, Phaisat in Churachandpur, New Saikot in Churchandpur, Anghazou in Chaurachandpur, Mualvaiphei in Chandel, Gannuam in Sadar Hills are recognised and another designated camp at Laijangphai in Churachandpur district is under consideration following objections from the village authority.
The chief minister further said the state government is providing Rs. 2000 as monthly stipend for every enrolled cadre in the recognised designated camps, and there was proposal from the concerned leaders of the militant groups for increase of another Rs. 1000 as monthly stipend for the cadres.
The state government also provided financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh each for the construction of designated camps by the militant groups.
The chief minister clarifying on the charge of violation over the recent killing of a cadre of the KNF by the Assam Rifles at Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, said there was no such official information over the killing of KNF cadres by the state government.
Meanwhile, another supplementary question raised by MLA W Marung Makunga charged that the constant extortions and imposition of illegal taxes on the common public in Tengnoupal under Chandel district had become a matter of major concern for the general public.
The chief minister denying the statement, mentioned that there were no such reports of involvement of Kuki militants under the SoO in collection of illegal taxes and extortions from the public. The state government has a firm stand against such illegal acts by the militants who are under the SoO, the chief minister mentioned.
Source: Imphal Free Press
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