Imphal: In one of the biggest setbacks to the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) [KCP (PWG)], as many as 46 active cadres, including six women, surrendered before the Manipur Government at the Mantripukhri Garrison, Headquarters Assam Rifles (South), in Imphal East district on Tuesday.
The surrender ceremony was attended by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, along with the State’s Home Minister and the Minister for Art & Culture and Tourism. Senior civil, police and military officials, including MLAs, the Chief Secretary, Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur, General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps, Director General of Police, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South), Home Commissioner, DIG of the CRPF and other dignitaries from the state administration and security forces, were also present.
During the event, the surrendered cadres laid down 28 sophisticated firearms, including AK-series rifles, INSAS rifles, Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), .303 rifles, pistols, carbines, double-barrel and single-barrel rifles, as well as a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher. A substantial cache of magazines, ammunition and explosives was also handed over to the authorities.
Founded on April 14, 1980, by communist ideologues Y. Ibohanbi and Ibopishak, the KCP gradually splintered into several factions over the years due to ideological divisions. Among them, the People’s War Group (PWG) emerged as one of the most active and disruptive outfits, carrying out anti-social and insurgent activities across the valley districts, particularly Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching.
Security officials described Tuesday’s surrender as unprecedented for the KCP (PWG), noting that previous surrenders from the outfit usually involved only five to twelve cadres at a time. The simultaneous surrender of 46 militants marks the largest-ever capitulation by the faction and is expected to significantly weaken its operational capabilities and influence across the region.
While officials stopped short of declaring the complete collapse of the KCP (PWG), they said the development represents a major degradation of the group’s strength, severely dismantling its network, territorial reach and capacity to carry out disruptive activities.
Officials attributed the breakthrough to weeks of sustained outreach and coordinated efforts by the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and other security agencies, backed by the State Government. They said the forces adopted a restrained, civilian-centric approach that encouraged the cadres to abandon militancy and return to the mainstream.
The surrender is expected to strengthen the ongoing peace process and pave the way for long-delayed infrastructure development, improved governance and socio-economic progress in affected areas of the state, officials added.
The cadres would be provided Rs 6000 per month and a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakh for each cadres under the surrender policy of the government.
