Manipur: In a major development in Manipur, 46 active cadres of the proscribed outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-Taibanganba, including four women, laid down arms and surrendered before the state government at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal on Tuesday.
The surrender was formalised at a Homecoming Ceremony organised by the Home Department, Government of Manipur. The ceremony comes just days after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on August 12 announced a 15-day deadline for the surrender of illegal and looted weapons to restore normalcy in the state.
Chief Minister Singh, who was the chief guest of the function, said the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023, may have compelled some youths to take up arms and join different underground groups in the valley and hill areas.
He said the decision of the KCP-T cadres to return to the mainstream is courageous and should be welcomed by all sections of society. He observed that arms and violence have never brought any solution to Manipur and have only prolonged the suffering of the common people.
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According to the Chief Minister, the surrender has been accepted under the Revised Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, 2018, which is the existing policy framework of the state government to facilitate the return of militants.
Under the policy, each surrendered cadre will be entitled to a monthly stipend of up to Rs 6,000 for a period of 36 months. In addition, a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakh will be provided in the form of a fixed deposit, which will remain locked for three years.
The government will also arrange skill development and vocational training for all the surrendered cadres, Singh said. The training will be based on aptitude and interest and will include sectors such as agriculture, handloom and handicrafts, ITI trades, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on political issues, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s support for the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur to address the issue of illegal immigration and demographic concerns.
At the same time, he appealed to civil society organisations, student bodies and other groups to avoid calling frequent bandhs and total shutdowns as a form of protest. He said bandhs severely hit students, daily wage earners, patients who need to travel for treatment, and small traders.
He urged all organisations to adopt democratic and constitutional methods of protest and dialogue, stating that long-term stability can be achieved only when arms are abandoned and discussions are held across the table.
In his welcome address, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh said the 46 cadres have chosen to return to their families, villages and responsibilities as citizens by giving up the path of armed struggle.
He said Manipur Police will continue to discharge its constitutional duties firmly and lawfully against those who continue to indulge in violence, extortion and intimidation of the public.
The DGP, however, added that for those who genuinely shun violence and want to rejoin society, the police department will extend full support for verification, documentation and rehabilitation. He advised the surrendered cadres to remain steadfast in their decision.
During the ceremony, a formal Acceptance of Surrender Agreement was signed between the two sides. On behalf of the outfit, KCP-T Chairman Haobijam Dilip alias Taibanganba signed the agreement, while Dr M. Veto Singh, Joint Secretary, Home, signed on behalf of the Government of Manipur.
As per the Home Department, the arms and ammunition deposited include INSAS rifles with folding and fixed butt, M22 rifles, Self Loading Rifles, 51 mm mortars, RPG launchers, Lathod 40 mm guns, Smith and Wesson .38 revolvers, Mauser 9 mm pistols, CZ-75 Luger pistols and .32 pistols, along with 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 9 mm and .32 mm cartridges, hand grenades, detonators and Baofeng handheld wireless sets with chargers.
Officials said this is the second major mass surrender in less than a month. On July 21, 46 cadres of the KCP-People’s War Group faction had surrendered at a similar Homecoming Ceremony at Mantripukhri Garrison, Headquarters of Inspector General Assam Rifles South.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Minister for Art and Culture and Tourism Khuraijam Loken Singh, several MLAs, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary, senior officers of civil administration, Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, CRPF, Intelligence Bureau and other central agencies.
