IMPHAL, May 24 � Manipur-based outfit United People�s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) has entered the peace process after they signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Centre and State Government here today.
The tripartite MoU was signed by UPPK�s president Achoibam Bonbihari, general secretary Konthoujam Shanti and Chief of Army Mayengbam Maichon on behalf of the outfit while Joint Secretary (NE) Shambhu Singh on behalf of Ministry of Home Affairs representing Centre and Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu on behalf of State Government signed the MOU.
Eighty cadres of UPPK attended the function where 37 weapons which were surrendered by the cadres were also displayed. The weapons included one Self Loading Rifle, 21 HK-33 rifles, four pistols, two lethod guns, one each of M-22 Rifle, AK-56 Rifle, Type 81 Rifle, A-4 rifle, MG A-2, MG M-23, MG MK-3 and RPG besides ammunition.
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, other Ministers and top officials of civil and security forces also attended the �home coming� ceremony at Banquet Hall of 1st Manipur Rifles battalion.
On February 13 this year, more than 200 cadres of several factions of Kangleipak Communist Party and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (MDF), joined the peace process, said Dr Babu in a statement here.
The State Government with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs is starting the construction of designated camps to host these cadres.
As part of the rehabilitation package, the cadres will be paid a lumpsum of Rs 2.5 lakh which will be kept in fixed deposit for a period of two years. In addition, every cadre will be paid Rs 4,000 per month as stipend for meeting their expenditure for a period of two years. The Central Government has already released Rs 14 crore last week, it added.
