Imphal: Twelve cadres of banned outfit KCP(PWG) and one cadre of KYKL laid down arms and ammunition before Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at a homecoming ceremony held today at the Banquet hall of 1^st Battalion Manipur Rifles, Imphal today.

The homecoming ceremony which was organized by the Home Department, Government of Manipur was also attended by Power Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Minister L. Susindro Meitei, Social Welfare Minister H. Dingo Singh, Education Minister Th. Basanta Singh, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Director General of Police P. Doungel and other high-ranking officials of Civil, Police and Paramilitary Forces among others.

Speaking on the occasion, N. Biren Singh welcomed all the cadres on their homecoming to the mainstream adding that it was the right time for all to go ahead together for growth and development of the State. The Chief Minister continued that Manipur had been facing unrest due to insurgency problems since the 1960s. However, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the insurgency related incidents had considerably declined in the last 5 years. Having faith in the style of governance of the Prime Minister, he stated that people had started showing a sense of nationalism. Mass participation in this year’s Independence Day Celebration and Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign proved people’s love for the country.

Asking Central Government Agencies operating in the State to see the changing scenario in the State, the Chief Minister stressed the need of thinking positively and changing the way of dealing with insurgent groups to bring them into the mainstream. He also spoke on the importance of joint efforts among the State and Central armed forces to deal with the issue through an exchange of plans and strategies. Maintaining that the State Government had already begun its initiative to convince various insurgent groups, through political dialogues and schemes for Surrender-cum Rehabilitation, and bring them back home, he expressed the government’s aim to end insurgency in the next 5 years.

N. Biren Singh further cautioned that some vested interest groups were trying to create a bad image of the State by playing ethnic-based politics. He appealed to the public to work together for the development of the country. He reiterated the assurance made by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah that not a single bullet would be fired on those militants who want to return to normal lives and join the National mainstream and no FIR would be lodged against them unless they are involved in a heinous crime. He further appealed to all the other insurgent groups to come back to the mainstream, taking advantage of such a right time.

The arms and ammunition laid down before the Chief Minister included two lathode guns, three 9mm pistols, three IEDs, two detonators, two radio sets, five letterheads and four extortion slips.