The KCP-Taibanganba group has decided to join the peace process and enter into an understanding with the Manipur government, with its chairman saying the decision was driven by the people’s call for an end to armed conflict and a return to the mainstream. A total of 46 cadres of the KCP-Taibanganba group surrendered on Tuesday and handed over their weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores during a homecoming ceremony organised by the Manipur Department of Home at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal. The cadres surrendered 20 arms, 216 rounds of ammunition and three explosives during the ceremony. The event was attended by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, senior ministers, civil administration officials, police and security force officers and other dignitaries.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ceremony, KCP-Taibanganba chairman Haobijam Dilip, also known as Taibanganba, said the group decided to join the peace process after listening to the repeated appeals of the people for peace and for armed groups to return to the mainstream. Dilip said the group had previously been part of the mainstream but returned to armed activity during the conflict in Manipur. He claimed that the group took up arms at the time with the stated objective of defending the state and its territorial integrity. However, he said the situation had since shown signs of improvement and people were increasingly asking the group to give up armed activities and return to the mainstream. “Considering people’s voice as voice of God, we decided to lay down arms and join the mainstream by signing agreements with the Manipur government,” Dilip said.
He said the decision was based on the aspirations of the people of Manipur for peace and a political understanding. According to him, the move represents a shift by the group from armed activity towards engagement with the state government through a peace-oriented process. The surrender ceremony marked a significant step in the group’s stated decision to abandon armed activity and participate in the peace process. The handing over of weapons and ammunition also formally accompanied the return of the 46 cadres to the mainstream. The KCP-Taibanganba group said its decision was aimed at responding to the desire of the people for peace and creating an opportunity for political engagement with the government. The process is expected to focus on further discussions and an understanding between the group and the Manipur government.
