N Biren Singh

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

Imphal, May 25

To end the decades-long insurgency in Manipur, the BJP-led government in Manipur is ready for talks with militants willing to lay down their arms. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in an interview with The Tribune, said his government was working on surrender and rehabilitation package for armed militants in the state bordering Myanmar.“We are going to invite the insurgents for talks. We have deliberated on the issue in the Cabinet. I have already spoken to Home Minister Rajnath Singh for a package to ensure security, including financial security, to militants who surrender,” he said.Despite emerging the second-largest party in the state Assembly poll, the BJP was able to form a government. The CM, exuding confidence, claimed his government would last full term. “Stability is not a problem. People are with me. The Naga People’s Front is also a part of my government.” Biren Singh, who took over as the state’s first BJP CM on March 15, claimed militancy-related violence had come down.“My biggest challenge is insurgency. I want equal development of hills and plains.” he emphasised.“After their surrender, where will they (insurgents) live? How will they be integrated with the mainstream? We have to work out these things. Anybody surrendering will be taking a big risk. He will be under threat from his group members. The surrendered militants have to be given financial support for rehabilitation,” he maintained.A state with a population of barely three million, Manipur has over 30 militant groups, some demanding independence. As of now, surrendered militants are kept in camps, isolated from their families and society.Biren Singh said he expected a financial package from the Centre. “We have to construct a housing colony for the surrendered militants so that they can live with their families in a safe environment. Schools, banking facilities, everything has to be provided to them and their families. They should feel secure. We have to create that kind of atmosphere,” the CM said.Pointing out that the Centre spent a huge sum on counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, he said: “If we implement a surrender and rehabilitation policy, it will yield better results, both in terms of peace and development.” On the blockades imposed by the United Naga Council, an apex body of Naga insurgent groups, Biren Singh said the 139-day blockade of NH-2 and NH-37, to protest the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts by the earlier Congress government, was lifted four days after the BJP had formed government. “Besides, the Railway line from Giribam to Imphal will be completet by 2020. It will be very useful during such blockades.”On the demand by certain Naga groups for including Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur to form “Greater Nagaland,” he said: “The territorial integrity of Manipur will remain intact. Even the PM has said so.” He claimed his government was not aware of any talks between Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM) and the Centre in this regard.The Chief Minister, who has been a footballer, said his government wanted to encourage sports and tourism.