In one of the largest surrenders by a militant outfit in recent years, 46 active cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) [KCP (PWG)] laid down arms before Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh during a “Home Coming Ceremony” held at the Mantripukhri Garrison, Headquarters Assam Rifles (South), in Imphal East district today.
The ceremony was attended by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Art, Culture and Tourism Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLAs, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, General Officer Commanding, Spear Corps, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, Inspector General Assam Rifles (South), Home Commissioner, DIG CRPF and senior officials of the state administration and security forces.
The surrendered cadres deposited 28 weapons, including AK-series rifles, INSAS rifles, Self Loading Rifles (SLRs), .303 rifles, carbines, pistols, single and double-barrel guns, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, along with magazines, ammunition and explosives.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that although armed group activities had increased following the onset of the crisis in the state, the situation was gradually improving. He stated that around 8,000 weapons had been disarmed so far, and since the formation of the present government five months ago, at least 1,200 weapons had been recovered, including 600 looted arms.
Appealing to other armed cadres to join the mainstream, the Chief Minister said that lasting development in Manipur could only be achieved through peace. He assured that the government was ready to extend support under the state’s surrender policy to any armed group willing to return to normal life.
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh described the surrender as a significant development, saying it was the first time since the May 2023 conflict that cadres of the KCP-PWG had surrendered and laid down arms before the government. He said the relentless efforts of security forces had played a crucial role in bringing the cadres back into the mainstream and urged other armed groups operating within and outside the state to abandon violence and contribute to Manipur’s development.
Officials described the surrender as a significant security breakthrough, noting that the cadres were not part of any previous peace agreement. They said the development has dealt a major blow to the operational capability of the KCP (PWG), a faction that has been active in Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching districts.
The KCP, founded on April 14, 1980, later split into several factions, with the People’s War Group emerging as one of the most active. While previous surrenders from the faction involved only small groups of cadres, officials said the surrender of 46 members at one time is unprecedented and is expected to substantially weaken the group’s network and influence.
According to the security establishment, the surrender followed weeks of coordinated efforts by the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and other security agencies, supported by the state government. Officials said the initiative aimed to encourage militants to return to the mainstream and contribute to peace, stability and development in the state.
