IMPHAL, December 19: Altogether 2731 underground cadres have entered either the Memorandum of Understanding or the Suspension of Operation agreements after surrendering before the State and Central governments under the Ministry of Home Affairs`™ Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, State Home minister Gaikhangam told the House today.
He was replying to a calling attention motion moved by Trinamool Congress MLA I Ibohalhi questioning the lack of transparency in the surrender policy for the UGs and the underlying threat to the peace process due to it.
Gaikhangam said there are three modes of surrender- individual surrender, Memorandum of Understanding and the Suspension of Operation.
Elaborating further, he said altogether 1122 KNA cadres and 1059 UPF cadres are under the SoO while another 550 cadres of different organisations are under the MoU. The government has deposited Rs 2.50 lakhs in the bank accounts of each cadre and they are also provided a monthly stipend of Rs 4000 under the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, he said.
Gaikhangam also said that at least three surrendered cadres have been provided government jobs while the government has also taken up various programmes for them.
Some of them, he said are even placed at secure locations inside their designated camps.
Stating that the government is facing much problem for their accommodation, he said it is presently concerned only for their accommodation. The government is emphasising on providing the surrendered cadres proper and secure accommodation, he said.
The State is also planning to provide vocational programme within the designated camps considering the security point of view, Gaikhangam said.
Moving the calling attention motion, Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi had said that the government has taken up various programmes for the misguided youth who have returned to the mainstream, however, the main question is how far the government is the government committed in their welfare.