Forty-six militants, including four women cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party-Taibanganba faction, surrendered before the Manipur government on Tuesday and laid down 20 arms at a “Homecoming Ceremony” in Imphal. The ceremony, organised by the Home Department at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground, was held as part of renewed efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and development in the state.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, addressing the ceremony, linked the surrender to the government’s efforts to strengthen the peace process following the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. He said the unrest may have prompted some individuals to take up arms and join insurgent groups, while urging those involved in armed activities to choose dialogue and democratic means to address their grievances.

The chief minister said the surrender of the 46 KCP militants was being carried out under the Revised Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, 2018. Under the policy, each surrendered cadre is eligible for a monthly stipend of up to Rs 6,000 for 36 months and a fixed deposit grant of Rs 4 lakh. The government will also support skill-based training to help surrendered cadres develop sustainable livelihoods and return to normal civilian life.

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Khemchand Singh welcomed the cadres’ decision to give up armed activities and said holding weapons had not brought peace to Manipur. He also reiterated the government’s support for the demand to implement the National Register of Citizens in the state, while opposing bandhs because of their impact on students, daily wage earners and other sections of society. He stressed that lasting peace would depend on people abandoning violence and resolving grievances through dialogue and democratic processes.

Director General of Police Mukesh Singh said the surrendered cadres had chosen to return to their families, communities and responsibilities as citizens. He assured that Manipur Police would continue to carry out its constitutional duties while supporting those who genuinely abandon violence and seek to rejoin society through the legal surrender, verification and rehabilitation process. An acceptance of surrender agreement was also signed between the state government and the KCP-Taibanganba faction during the ceremony.

The surrender comes amid continued efforts by the Manipur government and security forces to encourage insurgent groups and individuals involved in armed activities to return to the mainstream. The latest ceremony follows a similar event held on July 21 at Mantripukhri Garrison in Imphal, where 46 cadres of the KCP (People’s War Group faction) surrendered. Tuesday’s event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, state ministers, MLAs, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and senior officials from the civil administration, Manipur Police and central security forces.

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