State Home Department still not releasing files related to the surrendered militants for over 5 years
Imphal, April 15: “We were promised monthly honorarium of Rs. 7,500/- besides an allowance of Rs. 3 lakhs in 3 years and also a government job, so we took all risk and surrendered to the government in the presence of the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the then Home Minister Gaikhangam, but it is over 5 years now and we are left to live at our own and the promised amount has never been distributed to us”, said MD. Abdul Barrik @ Ibomcha, a surrendered UG from Yairipok Changamdabi Makha who surrendered with along 71 others at Mantripukhri on July 21, 2012.
Similar is the case of other surrendered militants who now live a normal life.
Imphal Times incidentally met MD. Abdul Barrik and after listening his story, we further contacted other surrendered militants. We talk with at least 15 of them. Almost everyone of them have similar story, none of them have been provided the allowances, as well as none of them had ever received their monthly stipend.
They also stated that they were sent home by the AR camp commanders which they took shelter for one or two months after providing them identification cards.
Another surrendered militant, Sarangthem Abubgo Singh (age about 36 years) from Heirong Moirangthem Leikai said that they know work anything to live. As we want to live normal life we clean even latrine, loads sand to earn for the living.
Almost every one of us have children and we come out on the believe that government will not cheat us, but all those promises turn out to be a hard trick to fill the pocket of some bureaucrats officers.
“ We are poor, we don’t have money to buy even two pair breads, yet they asked money to pass on our files”, said another surrendered UG MD. Jelaruddin from Yairipok Changamdabi.
As per the rehabilitation scheme, these surrendered UGs should be provided proper vocational training but they were no provided any sort of training.
On April 12, 2 cadres of PREPAK surrendered to the Chief Minister and on the day the Chief Minister had stated that the surrenderee policy will be review.
Amidst criticism at the time of introducing the surrenderee rehabilitation scheme, the scheme has been becoming as one of the most effective mechanism to reduce the number of insurgencies. Some of the UGs like PULF or UPPK are no more heart as they have joined the mainstream.
The way the government harassed those surrendered UGs will not make this effective scheme served its purpose. When Imphal Times digs on when the promises are not fulfilled, it is being found out that the file are now lying on the table of Principal Secy (Home). For around 5 years the file has been there and now even after Chef Minister had ordered not to keep pending official files for more than one day, Mr. Principal Secretary (Home) is exceptional. Since the announcement to move official files within one day , it is around 10 plus days and the files of the surrendered militants are still lying at the table.
