Imphal |  In a major boost to peace and rehabilitation efforts in Manipur, 46 active cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) [KCP-PWG], including four women, surrendered before security forces on Tuesday in what officials described as the largest mass surrender by the outfit to date.

The “homecoming ceremony” was held at the Mantripukhri Garrison in Imphal East district in the presence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, senior Army and Assam Rifles officers, police officials and representatives of various security agencies.

The surrendered cadres handed over a significant cache of arms, ammunition and explosives. The weapons surrendered included 28 firearms, among them three AK-series rifles, four AK-56 rifles, an INSAS Ex-Calibur rifle, a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a 9 mm carbine, three .303 rifles, an RPG launcher, three pistols and 11 country-made guns.

Security agencies also recovered 16 magazines, nine RPG shells, 23 hand grenades, seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing around 15 kg, detonators, communication equipment and 342 rounds of ammunition.

Officials noted that the scale of the surrender was unprecedented for the KCP-PWG, whose previous surrender events generally involved between five and 12 cadres. The development is being viewed as a significant setback for the insurgent outfit and a positive step towards restoring normalcy in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the surrendered cadres, KCP-PWG chairman Laishram Ranjit Meitei said years of hardship, uncertainty and growing disillusionment with armed struggle had led the group to abandon militancy and return to the mainstream.

“Our cadres had become deeply frustrated and faced numerous hardships. We decided to return in the interest of peace and for the welfare of our society and community. We hope the government will support us with vocational training, machinery and financial assistance for self-employment,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Singh said the return of the cadres reflected a growing desire for peace and reconciliation in a state that has witnessed prolonged unrest and ethnic violence since May 2023.

“Guns and violence can never bring development. Today’s homecoming is a significant step towards restoring lasting peace and strengthening the reconciliation process in the state,” he said.

Home Minister Konthoujam highlighted the rehabilitation measures available under the Centre’s surrender policy for insurgents in the Northeast. He said the objective was to help former militants reintegrate into society through financial support and skill-development initiatives.

“Each surrendered cadre will receive Rs 4 lakh, which will remain in a fixed deposit for three years. This is not a loan but a rehabilitation grant. While the government cannot promise employment, we will provide support for self-employment and skill development so that they can begin a new life,” he said.

Under the Revised Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North East States, 2018, each surrendered cadre is entitled to a one-time rehabilitation grant of Rs 4 lakh, kept in a fixed deposit for three years, along with a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 during the rehabilitation period.

Security officials said the surrender represents a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to encourage insurgents to renounce violence and join the democratic process. The People’s War Group emerged as a splinter faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party following ideological differences within the parent organisation.

The mass surrender is expected to strengthen confidence-building measures and support the broader peace process in Manipur, where authorities continue to pursue reconciliation and rehabilitation initiatives alongside security operations.