Maj Gen Alok Naresh during the inauguration of the camp.
Imphal: Major General Alok Naresh, the inspector general of the Assam Rifles (South), inaugurated the first-of-its-kind skill-development centre at a “suspension of operations” (SoO) camp in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, on Wednesday. It was held at the camp to bring militant cadres into the mainstream population by empowering them during suspension of operations (SoO).
Gen Naresh coordinated with Zomi Revolutionary Organization officials, Humanism Foundation and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to aid in arranging equipment and training for the cadres’ skill development.
The Skill development program was inaugurated by Maj Gen Alok Naresh, IG Assam Rifles (South) in presence of various dignitaries from Assam Rifles and members of ZRO. The training will be organised in multiple phases of 30 days . @SpokespersonMoD @official_dgar pic.twitter.com/aZFPPWwh41
— PRO Defence Imphal (@PRODefImphal) October 13, 2021
In an effort to impart skill based training to the inhabitants of the SoO Camp of #ZRA at #CCPur district #Manipur. IGAR(South) launched first of its kind Skill Development Program on 13 Oct 2021. @SpokespersonMoD @official_dgar pic.twitter.com/wBIcoOE24F
— PRO Defence Imphal (@PRODefImphal) October 13, 2021
The training will be organized in multiple phases of 30 days each. The first phase, which started on Wednesday, will include training on skills like sewing, carpentry and infotech training. Training for subsequent phases will be upgraded to other result-oriented skills based on the feedback from the trainees.
Background
To bring peace and stability in Manipur, the Centre and the Manipur government signed tripartite agreement with the Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups for suspension of operations (SoO) to enable talks and formulating of a framework for resolving the insurgency.
The Zomi Revolutionary Organisation (ZRO)/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) was one of the first insurgent groups to sign the agreement in August 2005. Consequently, an umbrella organization called the United People’s Front (UPF), which was designated as a political platform for insurgent groups, was established and all tribal insurgent groups were invited to become a part of the same.
Subsequently the ZRO President became the first chairman of the UPF.
In August 2008, other insurgent groups also entered an agreement with the Centre and the Manipur state governments to facilitate peace talks.
First Designated SoO camp
After signing of the tripartite agreement, the first designated SoO camp of ZRA called “Muvanlai Camp” was established in New Teikot on September 17, 2010.
There are around 73 cadres in the camp who are mainly engaged in the camp’s maintenance and activities like pisciculture, goat rearing, farming of paddy and other organic crops.
During the inauguration, Gen Naresh said, “The endeavour of this initiative is to empower the trainees to successfully compete with their counterparts in the professional and social domain.”
