Guwahati: At least 37 hardcore extremists, belonging to different Manipur-based underground outfits, laid down their arms before state Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday, in the state capital Imphal. While 36 of the surrendered militants were from the Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA), a lone cadre belonged to the PREPAK (PRO). The surrender ceremony was held at the banquet hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles in Imphal town.
The militants also deposited a huge cache of arms and ammunition to the authorities.
The weapon includes four AK series rifles, one .22 rifle, one 303 rifle, one single barrel, one carbine, four pistols, two hand grenades, and over 540 live rounds of assorted ammunition.
Speaking on the occasion, state Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “I appreciate and welcome all the 37 cadres of both the underground groups for their decision to return to the mainstream by laying down their arms.”
“With more insurgents joining the mainstream, our efforts to bring progress back into the state by making those who chose the path of bloodshed return to the mainstream and work for the development of the state having faith in the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state. I am confident that we shall further usher in peace and tranquility in the hill state,” the Chief Minister added.
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Surrender-Cum-Rehabilitation Program Of Militants In Northeast
Under the revised scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation program of militants in the Northeastern states, the rehabilitation benefits given to the surrendered militants include a one-time financial grant of Rs four lakh, which is to be kept in the accounts as fixed deposits for a period of three years.
Moreover, a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 per cadre besides incentives is also provided.
The surrendered militants need to stay in a rehabilitation camp for at least three years before returning to their original homes.
On November 16, 2022, a total of 31 extremists from different valley-based underground groups of Manipur laid down their arms before state Chief Minister N Biren Singh at a ceremony that was held at the premises of the 1st battalion of Manipur Rifles.
The surrendered militants included 17 from the Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples’ War Group), four from the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), six from Peoples’ Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), three from Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and one from PREPAK (VC).
The surrendered militants deposited one M16 Rifle, one M4 Carbine, one Lathod gun, one single barrel rifle, seven 32 Pistol, three 22 Pistol and one 12 mm bore Pistol along with five cartridges, three Lathod Shells, one IED and three live rounds of ammunition.
With the majority of the Underground Outfits of Manipur joining the mainstream in recent years, the state is limping back to normalcy.
Peace, progress, and development have also fast started showing up in the trouble-torn state which once used to lease a reign of terror.
The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.