45 UTLA cadres surrender before Manipur CM

IMPHAL, Oct 28 : Forty-three armed cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) including its top leaders Thursday formally surrendered with their arms before the Manipur Chief Minister, GOC 57th Mountain Division and Manipur DGP, in a “Home Coming Ceremony” held at 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground, Imphal.
President of the outfit Seipu alias Izeal, general secretary Siehzahau and home secretary SL Minlun alias Lulun were among the 43 cadres who surrendered through the Red Shield Division of the 57 Mountain Division.
Officials of the Red Shield Division who termed the ceremony as “Home Coming Ceremony” described today’s function as “another landmark peace initiative” of the division. The cadres decided to come home by abjuring the path of violence under the guidance and direction of GOC Red Shield Division, Major General Binoy Poonem.
Speaking on the occasion, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh made a fresh appeal to all insurgent groups operating in Manipur to abjure violence and come to the negotiating table, saying that every problem could be solved through dialogue.
“My government will not leave a stone unturned to keep the confidence they (insurgents) have on us,” he said assuring that his government was always ready to take up rehabilitation work for the youths who were “misguided”.
Welcoming the home coming of the UTLA cadres, the Ibodi asserted that the group had already approached for joining the tripartite suspension of operation agreement among GoI, GoM and Kuki based militant groups under the umbrella organisations, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF).
UTLA had already made known their charter of demands from the government. During a thorough study to their demands, it was found that most of them were genuine. Government would consider the demands point by point, he said.
Manipur DGP Y Joykumar asserted that with the UTLA coming out to the negotiating table, the hindrances which were given to the construction of Jiribam-Tupul railway line and other developmental works taken up in parts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Jiribam sub-division of Imphal East would be remarkably reduce.
According to the DGP, UTLA cadres are actively operating in Jiribam, Vangai Range of Churachandpur and Nungba hill range of Tamenglong district.
GOC Red Shield Division Major General Binoy Poonem clarified that today’s ceremony was not a surrender ceremony but “UTLA entering to another suspension of operation agreement with the government.”
He further assured that his division will continue to work for the prevalent of peace in the region by paving the way for militants come to the negotiating table.
The United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) was raised by one James in year 2003. However, at a later date after the death of James, UTLA was split into two factions called UTLA and UTLA (Max). UTLA (Max) over a period of time got neutralized and as on date majority of them are in jail.
Due to leadership crisis and differences, president of UTLA Izeal and general secretary Shjao along with its 42 armed cadres were motivated to join the mainstream. On September 8 last, the two leaders of the group announced formally to join the suspension of operation, said a statement distributed during the home coming ceremony orchestrated by 27 sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division.