46 KCP-Taibanganba cadres, including four women, surrendered in Imphal and handed over 20 arms as Manipur steps up efforts for peace and rehabilitation.
IMPHAL — In a significant step towards peace, reconciliation and development in Manipur, 46 cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party-Taibanganba Group (KCP-T), including four women, surrendered to the government during a “Homecoming Ceremony” held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal on Tuesday.
The ceremony was organised under the aegis of the Home Department and attended by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Art, Culture and Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, several MLAs, the Security Advisor, DGP Mukesh Singh and senior officials from the civil administration, Manipur Police and central security forces.
During the ceremony, an acceptance of surrender agreement was signed between the government and the KCP-Taibanganba Group. Chairman Haobijam Dilip alias Taibanganba signed on behalf of the group, while Joint Secretary (Home) Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh signed on behalf of the government.
The surrendered cadres also handed over 20 arms, including INSAS rifles, an M22 rifle, RPG, Lathod 40 mm, Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, 51 mm mortar, SLR, Mauser 9 mm pistol, CZ-75 Luger and other firearms. They also surrendered ammunition, including 216 rounds, along with communication devices and hand-held sets.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the crisis that began on May 3, 2023, may have prompted some individuals to take up arms and join insurgent groups. He welcomed the cadres’ decision to surrender, stating that “holding guns has not brought peace”.
The chief minister assured the surrendered cadres of all possible government support under the Revised Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, 2018. Under the policy, each surrendered cadre is eligible for a monthly stipend of up to INR 6,000 for 36 months and a fixed deposit grant of INR 4 lakh.
He further said the government would support skill-based training programmes to help the surrendered cadres secure sustainable livelihoods.
Earlier, in his welcome address, DGP Mukesh Singh said that by giving up armed activities, the cadres had chosen to return to their families, communities and responsibilities as citizens.
The DGP urged the surrendered cadres to remain committed to their decision, stressing that the success of the homecoming would not be judged by the ceremony itself but by their conduct in the future.
“Manipur Police will continue to perform its constitutional duties with firmness,” he said, while adding that those who genuinely renounce violence and wish to rejoin society would be supported through the legal process of surrender, verification and rehabilitation.
The homecoming ceremony came days after the chief minister on August 12, publicly announced a 15-day deadline for the surrender of illegal weapons as part of efforts to strengthen peace and restore normalcy in the state.