Imphal, Oct. 15: Surrendered rebels in Manipur have demanded jobs in government security forces, arguing that this was the only way they could earn their living while protecting themselves and their families.

Surrendered militants today again raised their demand for recruitment in the 4th India Reserve Battalion (IRB), which is being raised to strengthen the forces in counter-insurgency operations.

The former rebels told mediapersons that chief minister Ibobi Singh should fulfil his commitment to recruit them in either the Manipur Rifles or the IRB. They threatened an agitation if they were not recruited this time.

More than 90 militants, belonging to different outfits, laid down arms over the past few years in response to a call by the government. Most of them are now staying with their families at Imphal?s police commando complex while others are attached to battalions of the Manipur Rifles.

In 2002, a special recruitment test was conducted for surrendered militants to the Manipur Rifles. Over 80 former rebels appeared for the test. However, the results of the test have not been announced till now.

The former rebels now want the results of the special test to be announced along with those of the recruitment test for riflemen of the 4th IRB. The recruitment test for riflemen of the new IRB has been completed. At least 10,000 youths have appeared for it.

However, the results are yet to be announced. ?Since we are facing threats from our former comrades, we feel that being in active service would ensure our livelihood as well as our security,? a spokesman for the former militants said.

When asked about the fate of the former rebels, inspector-general of police Anish Dayal, who is the chairman of the IRB Riflemen Recruitment Board, said he was only entrusted with the task of direct recruitment from among normal applicants.

Instructions have already been issued to the police department to identify trades that could be assigned to some of the former rebels. But as the official said, ?So far there is no clear-cut order for their recruitment.?

The former rebels are living in pitiable condition, some with wives and young children, in makeshift camps constructed at the office of the dog squad inside the commando complex. The government is not paying them monthly allowances for the past four years. They are subsisting on money from relatives.