"Beginning of a new chapter," says GoC Lt Gen Girish Kalia ::::: Homecoming Ceremony of Manipur-based Militants :::: A Big Step by Double Engine Govts ably supported by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police

"Conflicts, Militancy and Wars are caused by man, by man-made institutions ....The Human mind and heart can always invent peace"

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At a time when the Naga-Kuki violence has resurfaced in Manipur and the Meite-Kuki 'ethnic differences' remain largely unchanged; a large number of militant-cadres of a valley based outfit laid down arms and pledged to join the national and socio-political mainstream.  

"Welcome home" - CM Khemchand 

A glittering ceremony was organised at the Assam Rifles complez in the state capital  Imphal. The function was graced by chief minister Y Khemchand Singh and state Home Minister K Govindas Singh among others. 

Top civil, police and military officials attended the function.  "Your homecoming is the beginning of a new chapter," said Lt Gen Girish Kalia on the occasion. 

"The mainstream is ready to welcome you and support you," he said adding, the safety, dignity and smooth reintegration into the society would also get top priority from the authorities. 

He also said, "My friends ... it's also the occasion to celebrate profound transition from violence to prosperity".

Lt Gen Kalia :  "Mainstream is ready to welcome you"

Manipur DGP Mukesh Singh said "Counter insurgency operations are not enough and hence people's participation is important". He also said as many as 851 cadres of multiple groups in northeast have surrendered since 2018.

The surrendered weapons include among o28 arms including three AK series, 4 AK 56 Rifles, 16 magazines, 9 RPG shells, 23 hand grenades, 40 electric detonators, 300 blasting caps, 7 IEDs weighing about 15 kg and 342 ammunitions.

The Kangleipak Communist Party-People's War Group (KCP-PWG) is a proscribed militant and insurgent outfit actively monitored by state and central security forces. 

Ongoing counter-insurgency and area domination operations continue to result in the arrests of its cadres and leaders, particularly in connection with local extortion rings and weapon recoveries in districts like Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching.

This episode of surrender by Meitei (or valley based militants) is a big challenge those who want to derail Manipur's development journey that was sparked off around 2017 after BJP came to power in the state. 

However, by May 2023; as ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meities surfaced initially on the issue of reservation - things got derailed and Manipur has since then saw enough bloodshed and tears.  

After Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, the state of Manipur was the fourth northeast state where BJP was able to put up its chief minister and the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas mission was thus 'derailed' for a while in this north eastern state.  

“Distressing is a very mild word ... for what is happening in Manipur,” External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had told the Indian diaspora on March 5, 2024 at a function in the South Korean capital Seoul.  

Surrendered 'women' cadres of PWG-T faction 

The Centre and BJP leadership have over the last three years pursued political restructuring in Manipur. Following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, 2025, President’s Rule was imposed four days later. It was revoked on February 4, 2026, when Yumnam Khemchand Singh assumed office as Chief Minister with two Deputy Chief Ministers—Nemcha Kipgen representing the Kuki community and Losii Dikho, a Mao Naga leader.  

Tribal Christians, including Nagas and Kukis, form around 41 percent of Manipur’s 3.6 million people. They primarily inhabit the hill districts. The Meiteis make up some 53 percent of the population and reside in the Imphal Valley.

And then there are about 6,000 refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in the state.

ends