68 militants surrender in Manipur

A total of 68 militants, along with a huge cache of assorted weapons including AK series assault rifles, surrendered here on Monday before Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

The militants surrendered at a specially-organised "Home Coming Ceremony" in the parade ground of 1st Bn Manipur Rifles.

Welcoming the surrendering militants to the national mainstream, Biren Singh said: "Violence cannot solve any problem. Dialogue is the only out."

The Chief Minister assured that full protection would be provided to them.

In the past, some surrendered insurgents had been killed.

He was happy that the insurgents reposed trust in the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state and promised a sea change in governance over the next one year or so.

Biren Singh said that since there were some complaints against the surrender policy, a proposal to amend the policy had been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He disclosed that for the first time, one nodal officer had been appointed to look after the needs of former insurgents.

State's DGP L.M. Khaute said: "They (the surrenderers) belong to United National Liberation Front (17), Kangleipak Communist Party (23), Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup (3), People's Liberation Army (7), People' Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (10) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangeleipak (Progressive) (8)."

Four of the surrendering militants were women, the DGP said, adding that the huge cache of arms and ammunition brought along by them was being verified.

--IANS

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