Imphal, August 18: Forty-six cadres of the KCP (Taibanganba) faction surrendered before Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at a homecoming ceremony held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground here on Tuesday.
The cadres handed over 20 arms, 216 rounds of ammunition and three explosives, marking a significant step towards their return to civilian life.
Welcoming the cadres, Khemchand urged them to shun violence and participate in the democratic process, saying peace and development in Manipur could be achieved only through dialogue and democratic engagement.
The surrendered cadres will be rehabilitated under the Government of India’s Revised Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018, officials said. The scheme provides financial assistance, vocational training and other support to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Security officials described the surrender as a boost to ongoing peace efforts. They expressed hope that it would encourage other underground cadres to lay down arms and return to the mainstream.
