19 militants surrender in Manipur

, July 6: At least 19

, including some top leaders of Kuki National Liberation Front, surrendered before

Rifles personnel, deployed at the border town of Moreh in

's Chandel district bordering Myanmar, officials said today.

Those who laid down arms before senior officials of the 9th Assam Rifles battalion camp at Moreh on Thursday last included self-styled armed wing commander Lunminthang, operation commander Thangnio, finance wing commander Saipao, public relations officer Lethong, and finance wing commander two section Thongkhulmin.

Giving the names of the other cadre of KNLF, they said that at the time of the surrender, the militants also handed over 3 M-16 rifles, one M-15 rifle, two AK22- rifle, one US carbine, one .32 pistol, one mortar of M-60, and several rounds of ammunition of different weapons.

Five of the 30 militant outfits have so far agreed to hold peace talks with the government and the state was urging the other outfits to lay down arms and join in the peace talks for bringing an all-round development in Manipur.

Over 200 militants of different outfits have laid down arms and surrendered to the authorities this year. Main demand of the KNLF was to form a 'Kukiland' to be carved out of Manipur.

PTI