IMPHAL: Fifty-two 'military wing' cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) who had recently signed a suspension of operation (Soo) pact with the government came forward before chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a 'home coming' ceremony at the headquarters Red Shield division of the army at Leimakhong near Imphal on Tuesday.
The cadres laid down 42 sophisticated weapons, including nine that were 'looted' by them during a raid on IRB post at Chekra Cham in south Assam on November 13, 2009, in front of the government. On October 27, 2012 around 43 cadres of the same outfit declared a Soo in a homecoming ceremony in Imphal.
The chief minister, home minister Gaikhangam, GOC Red Shied Division Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen, deputy GOC of the division, and Manipur DGP R Baral presented gifts to the 52 cadres. Welcoming them, Ibobi Singh described the development as another step towards peace. Appealing to all other underground groups to denounce violence, the CM lauded the efforts of the Red Shied Division and was satisfied with the peace initiative taken by the GOC. "The homecoming shows that peace is not very far from the state," Ibobi said.
The GOC praised the cadres for their courage and wisdom in choosing to become responsible citizens of the state.
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