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Manipur : Ibobi seeks better rehabilitation policy |
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Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has picked holes in Delhi’s policy on militant surrenders, saying the incentives being offered now were not lucrative enough to lure them back to the mainstream.
Ibobi Singh said during a surrender ceremony in Imphal . two militants laid down weapons before him . that an ‘integrated and comprehensive surrender policy‘ would encourage even hardened rebels to give up the gun and lead normal lives.
‘The facilities being offered to former underground members (an euphemism for militants) under a policy approved by the Centre are not lucrative enough. If more financial assistance and other sops are given, they could earn a living and lead normal lives,‘ he said.
The Manipur government pays Rs 2,000 per month to each surrendered militant for one year. They also receive rations during this period. After one year, the former militants are on their own.
Though the central surrender policy envisages vocational training for those who lay down arms, it has not been implemented properly because of financial and other reasons. Those who have surrendered have been complaining about lack of opportunities for self-employment and threats from their former comrades. Most want to join the police force for the sake of security.
Over 100 militants from different groups laid down arms during the past couple of years and 26 of them have been given jobs either in the police department or the Manipur Rifles.
The Ibobi Singh government has promised to include more surrendered militants in the police ranks if they meet the standard criteria for selection.
Several former rebels stay in police barracks, refusing to go elsewhere for fear of being targeted by their erstwhile outfits.
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