Aizawl, July 17 - The Mizoram government would help in rehabilitation of surrendered terrorists rather than giving them financial support, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said here Friday.

'Not giving cash would show others that being an insurgent does not pay any dividends,' he said while speaking at the 'homecoming' ceremony of 64 Sinlung People's Liberation Army (SPLA) cadre who have laid down their arms.

'The army would provide vocational training to the former militants so that they can join the mainstream and work honestly overground.'

Criticising the former government of the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF), Lal Thanhawla said: 'The previous government had instigated the SPLA members to go underground to disrupt the state assembly polls in December last year.'

In the assembly elections, the Congress had secured 32 seats in the 40-member house, defeating the MNF, which bagged only three seats.