CM N Biren today welcomed Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health and Family Welfare of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), S.S. Lt. Colonel Irom Ibotombi Meitei alias Ibotomba alias Keirungba alias Chingkhei, on his homecoming to the mainstream, in front of media personnel at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Irom Ibomtombi, aged 56 years, son of Irom Buno Meitei, bearing MC No. 131, 1994-95 batch of PLA held from Thangtek, Nambol Police Station, Bishnupur. Addressing the media, CM stated that Irom Ibotombi had come to the mainstream, leaving the PLA outfit, trusting the changes brought in the State by Central and State governments and the firm commitment of central leaders towards the development of Manipur and Northeast India.
Continuing that the homecoming of such a senior member of PLA shows a new beginning in restoring peace in the State, he assured that the State Government would uphold the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah not to use a single bullet or lodge FIR against any UG cadre who are ready to lay down arms and join the mainstream.
He added that the State Government would make all arrangements to ensure the security and rehabilitation of the surrendered cadres. Biren maintained that the Government had been making arrangements for the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, who were once members of UG Groups, under schemes and programmes provided for them.
Various training for rehabilitation is also given to them at the rehabilitation camps. He appealed to people who had joined any UG groups for some reasons to have faith in the welfare and development programmes of the Government, to come home and join the mainstream.
It may be mentioned that earlier on 1st June this year, fourteen cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army -James Group (UTLA-J) laid down their arms and ammunition before the Chief Minister at a Homecoming Ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles.