Imphal, January 08 2009: Inspite of repeated appeals of the Governor and the Chief Minister of the State to the armed militants to lay down arms and the assurance of providing every possible assistance to rehabilitate them, the plight of those who have surrendered with the hope of joining the mainstream tells of a different tale.

Under the Scheme for Surrender cum Rehabilitation on Militants in the North East launched in 1998, various programmes related to rehabilitation of the surrendered militants have been spelt out.

But the scheme is yet to be fully implemented in Manipur.

Providing Government job, monthly stipend of Rs 2000 and the incentive reward in accordance to the arms laid down by the surrendered militants are still a far cry for many a surrendered militants in the State.

Not to mention of the Government job offer and payment of monthly stipend to them, the surrendered militants have been even deprived of a roof over their heads.

In 2005, the Government had issued an order to absorbed 37 surrenderees as Followers in 4th IRB, but these surrenderees are yet to join the service though 40 surrenderees have been reportedly appointment as Riflemen.

Out of these 37 surrenderees, 27 of them are being utilised at various posts of 7th Manipur Rifles, Ist Manipur Rifles, 2nd IRB, Ist IRB located in different parts of Thoubal and Bishnupur district while the remaining 10 surrenderees were made to put up at the quarters of the Dog Squad located on the northern side of the Commandos' complex of the Imphal West District.

However, these 10 surrenderees who have staying along with their family members and been trying to lead a normal life have also been evicted from the quarters of the Dog Squad on January 4 .

In protest against the eviction, the surrendered militants have been launching hunger strike since January 7 demanding a permanent place for them to stay and allowing them to join 4th IRB.

The agitating surrenderees who have been launching their stir with only a worn out canvasstent above their heads to shield themselves from the chilling winter were chased out by a team of police at around 10 am today.

The tent has also been dismantled.

Complaining against the police crackdown and the conduct of the Government, the aggrieved surrenderees said they do not want to take up arms again but to live in peace.

Inspite of that the Government has dismantled their quarters and chased them out.

Such conduct of the Government would not auger well and may even encourage the surrenderees to take up arms again, they said.

Leaving with other option after their makeshift canvasstent has been dismantled by the police today, the surrendered militants have harden their stand and said what may come they would continue with their hunger strike until the demand for a permanent place to stay and allowing them to join service is granted.

Meanwhile, taking serious note of the issue, Civil Liberty and Human Rights Organisation has stated that the matter would be brought up to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister if the State Government fails to resolve it within five days.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at its office located at Rupmahal Tank today, president of the organisation AC Sharma pointed out that until and unless the Government implements the policy of the surrendered militants effectively, it would cause a serious impediment in the efforts being made to bring about peace and normalcy in the State.

The Government should remain without providing a place for the surrendered militants to stay and evicting them from their quarters is in violation of human rights, AC Sharma added.

Secretary of the Organisation S Premkrishna recalled that a ruling of the Single Bench of the Gauhati High Court passed on September 7 last year had directed the Government to pay the remaining cash incentives to the militants who have surrendered along with arms and provide them with Government jobs.

But Court ruling has not been respected by the Government.

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