Over hundred insurgents surrender in Manipur

Imphal, May 4(ANI): In a positive development for promoting normalcy, over hundred cadres belonging to eleven different outfits surrendered here on April 30, making it one of the biggest surrenders in the state till date.

The insurgents surrendered at a formal ceremony at the Assam Rifles headquarters here.

The mass surrender is widely seen as the outcome of persistent efforts of the Assam Rifles to bring youth back to the mainstream, a fact corroborated by Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

"Assam Rifles have persuaded misled groups to join the mainstream society and they truly deserve appreciation for it. The kin next of these youths make it very clear that that path of violence is chosen more out of compulsion than a choice," Singh said.

The militants misled the boys by promising them good jobs and a better life, instead they were sent to training camps and forced to act against their own people.

Both the state government and the security forces have assured the traumatized boys of full support in their rehabilitation.

"I have children at home and I want to live peacefully with them, so I have given up arms," said Ingo, a surrendered cadre of Peoples United Liberation Front (PULF).

Many militant groups like the PULF, Pakan Reunification Army and Kangleipak Communist Party Military Council have opted to surrender and return to the mainstream. (ANI)