13 militants surrender in Manipur

Imphal, Oct. 28 (ANI): Thirteen cadres of four militant organisations laid down arms in Churachandpur district of anipur.

They surrendered at an official ceremony held at the headquarters of 3 (Naga Hills) Assam Rifles under the aegis of 57 Mountain Division.

Five militants belong to the newly floated KYKL (MDF), four to UKLA (MC), two to NC-Hill based DHD (J), and one each to PREPAK and UPPK.

Significantly, the surrender marks the end of two underground groups - the splinter group of DHD (J) and the UKLA (MC), which were beginning to spread their support base in Manipur.

This is the third major instance of militants surrendering to the Army during the last four months.

Sixty-Four cadres of Sinlung Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) had surrendered in July in Mizoram while 19 cadres of Dima Halam Daogah-Jewel Garlossa (DHD-J) had surrendered in September at Churachandpur.

The official surrendering ceremony was graced by Major General Shakti Gurung, VSM, GOC 57 Mountain Division as the chief guest.

"We were doing things there I did not like. There was a faction in our group and we roamed in the jungles of Assam and Manipur without any aim. When Assam Rifles contacted us in the jungle, myself and sir were convinced and we wanted to lead a peaceful life. We wanted all the violence to end. So we stand here proudly surrendering before you all," said Saveit Langthasa, a surrendered cadre of the DHD (J).

One rocket launcher, one lethod gun, two AK series rifles, one M-16 rifle, seven pistols, gelatin sticks, one Palm Top, five obile phones and several ammunitions were laid down by the surrendered militants. (ANI)