Including the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) (KCP-PWG), a total of 46 insurgents surrendered before the Manipur government on Tuesday as part of the Union government’s Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme for Militants in the North Eastern States, 2018.
Surrender was conducted at the “Home Coming Ceremony” that was organised by the Home Department of Manipur at the Headquarters of Manipur Home Guards Eastern wing at the Headquarters of Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South), Mantripukhri, Imphal West, during the event. The cadres laid down their arms before Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
Some of the weapons surrendered by some of the militants include AK-series rifles, AK-56 rifles, an INSAS Ex-Calibar rifle, an SLF, a 9mm carbine, .303 rifles, an RPG launcher, pistols and double-barreled and single barrel guns, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The security forces also seized 23 handgrenades, two and a half rounds of RPG ammunition, seven IEDs, detonators and communication devices, magazines, along with 34 two-rounds of ammunition.
In exchange for the militants surrendered, the government will give them a one-time financial aid of Rs 4 lakh, to be kept in a fixed deposit for three years. They will also receive a Rs 6000 support fund every month for their rehabilitation period, as well as incentives for weapons surrendered.
The former insurgents will remain in a rehabilitation camp for three years, while they’ll undertake vocational education and training focused on mainstreaming them into society.
Expressing gratitude to the “coordinated effort” of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, the Army, CRPF, BSF and ITBP for the success, the Manipur government stated it would keep on pushing other militants to surrender in the peace process.