Following the homecoming of 68 militants in Imphal, Manipur, on the eve of 71st Independence Day, Chief Minister Biren Singh has lauded the Art of Living Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar'” efforts of bringing peace in troubled areas and even reaching out to militants.
In a series of tweets, Singh expressed his gratitude to Gurudev who visited Imphal last year and held series of discussion with various individuals and groups on ways of adopting permanent peace in the state.
“Thanks @SriSri Ravi Shankar ji, today Manipur restoring peace under your tireless efforts and blessings; 68 militants back to mainstream,” the chief minister tweeted.
Meanwhile, Gurudev welcomed the surrendered youth to be part of the process to rebuild a harmonious and developed society and reassured of his continued efforts to ensure that they get a dignified way of contributing to society, according to a statement.
The Art of Living, which has been working in Manipur for the last 15 years, has offered to work with the government in creating a respectable rehabilitation package for the cadres.
The 68 cadres, who surrendered to the government on August 14, belonged to the 11 most dreaded outfits operating in Manipur — Six factions of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), two factions of People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). A formal agreement is likely to be signed between KCP-MTF and the Manipur government soon, the statement added.