National

Surrendered insurgents getting disillusioned

By Our Correspondent

IMPHAL MAY 10. About 80 former insurgents who once belonged to disparate rebel groups were injured when police used force to disperse them recently.

They had been on a sit-in protest at the entrance of the Chief Minister's office demanding jobs, rehabilitation money and cash reward for the weapons they had surrendered.

Last time when they had taken out a similar demonstration police used force, requiring the hospitalisation of many who wished to join the national mainstream.

When they were denied government jobs and rehabilitation assistance these persons who surrendered went on strike refusing to assist the police and security forces in smoking out insurgents and raiding the camps and houses where they take shelter.

The former insurgents said they were disillusioned. About 12 of them had been absorbed in the police service. Those who are not rehabilitated are often allegedly ill-treated and they are always the prime suspects whenever there is an incident of mugging or robbery in the locality.

The Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, who also holds the Home portfolio told The Hindu that Grade III and IV jobs in all government departments were reserved for insurgents who surrender. But following some killings these people accepted only jobs in police and paramilitary forces which had strict criteria for recruitment.

He admitted that the present impasse had sent wrong signals to insurgents who might be contemplating surrender.

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