Surrendered ultras demand amnesty in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 14 (UNI) Surrendered militants of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council today asked the Meghalaya Government to grant general amnesty to all (SHNLC) militants, who joined the national mainstream.

'' We have decided to urge the centre and the state to grant general amensty to all the surrendered HNLC militants, '' former chairman of HNLC, Julius Dorphang told reporters after interacting with his former junior colleagues-in-arms.

Today, more than 100 surrendered HNLC militants gathered at Mawlai Iewrynghep and discussed their day-to-day problems with Dorphang.

Though, the State Goverrnment could follow up the regular cases against some of the surredered militants, '' but we felt that the government should initiate measures to provide general amnesty since we joined the national mainstream, '' the former militant leader said.

The meeting also discussed the issue of urging the government to provide better rehabilitation package to the surrendered militants.

'' We want the government to provide better rehabilitation package to prevent them from going astray, '' Dorphang said.

'' Most of these boys (SHNLC) are poor and coming from rural areas. They find difficulties to sustain their life, '' Dorphang said.

He said many of SHNLC were yet to recieve the rehabilitation package.

Meanwhile, the former HNLC rubbished allegations that the surrendered HNLC militants had campaigned for the Congress in the just concluded Assembly elections.

'' The allegations are not true. However, the surrendered militants were free to individually support any candidate, '' Dorphnag added.

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