In a major move towards peace and reconciliation in Manipur, 46 militants of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party-Taibanganba faction surrendered before the state government on Tuesday. The group included four women cadres. The militants also handed over 20 weapons during a “Homecoming Ceremony” organised by the Home Department at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.

The surrender came after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced a 15-day deadline on August 12 for people to surrender illegal weapons. The move forms part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the peace process and encourage armed groups to give up violence.

Addressing the ceremony, Khemchand Singh said the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, may have pushed some people to take up arms and join insurgent groups. He praised the KCP cadres for choosing to surrender and said that keeping weapons had not brought peace to the state.

He said the government would provide all possible support to the surrendered cadres and help them return to mainstream society. “The surrender of the 46 KCP militants was taking place under the Revised Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, 2018,” Khemchand Singh said.

Under the policy, each surrendered cadre will receive a monthly stipend of up to Rs 6,000 for 36 months. They will also receive a fixed deposit grant of Rs 4 lakh. The government will further support skill-based training for the cadres. The training aims to help them develop sustainable livelihoods and earn a living after returning to normal life.

The chief minister also said the state government supports the demand for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. However, he opposed the practice of calling bandhs. He said people should consider other democratic forms of protest instead of shutdowns. Bandhs, he said, affect school and college students as well as daily wage earners.

Khemchand Singh stressed that lasting peace in Manipur can come only when people give up arms and use dialogue and democratic methods to address their grievances. He said the surrender of armed cadres was an important step towards restoring peace and bringing people back into the mainstream.

Director General of Police Mukesh Singh also addressed the ceremony. In his welcome speech, he said the cadres had chosen to return to their families, communities and responsibilities as citizens by giving up armed activities. He said the Manipur Police would continue to perform its constitutional duties with firmness.

At the same time, the DGP said the police would support those who genuinely give up violence and want to return to society. This support would cover the legal process of surrender, verification and rehabilitation. He urged the surrendered cadres to remain committed to their decision to abandon armed activities.

Mukesh Singh said the success of the “Homecoming” would not be measured by the ceremony itself. He said it would depend on how the surrendered cadres conduct themselves in the future and how they contribute to society.

During the ceremony, the state government and the KCP-Taibanganba faction also signed an acceptance of surrender agreement. KCP-T Chairman Haobijam Dilip, alias Taibanganba, signed the agreement on behalf of the group. Joint Secretary, Home, Dr M. Veto Singh, signed it on behalf of the state government.

The cadres surrendered a range of weapons and equipment. These included INSAS rifles, including folding-butt and fixed-butt variants, M22 rifles, RPGs, Lathod 40 mm weapons, Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers, 51 mm mortars, SLRs, Mauser 9 mm pistols, 9 mm pistols, CZ-75 Luger pistols, Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistols and .32 pistols (C/M).

The surrendered ammunition included 5.56 mm, 9 mm, 7.62 mm and .32 mm cartridges. The cadres also handed over hand grenades and detonators. Communication equipment included Baofeng handheld sets and chargers.

The latest surrender is part of renewed efforts by the Manipur government and security forces to persuade armed groups and individuals involved in insurgent activities to abandon violence. The authorities are encouraging them to surrender their weapons and return to civilian life.

Manipur has witnessed several such surrender initiatives in recent months. A similar “Homecoming Ceremony” was held on July 21 at Mantripukhri Garrison in Imphal for 46 cadres of the KCP (People’s War Group faction). The event was organised at the Headquarters of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles, South, Imphal.

The latest ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Art and Culture and Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, several MLAs, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and senior officials from the civil administration. Senior officers from the Manipur Police and other central security forces were also present.

The government has linked the surrender programme with its broader efforts to restore peace and stability in the state. Officials have urged armed groups to abandon violence and use democratic means to address their concerns. The surrender of the 46 KCP-Taibanganba cadres, along with the weapons and ammunition handed over, marks another step in that process.