Manipur: KCP Taibanganba Group chairman says people’s call for peace led to decision to lay down arms

The KCP-Taibanganba group has decided to enter into an understanding with the Manipur government and join the peace process, citing 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, August 18 and handed over their weapons 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 at the ceremony, which was attended by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, senior ministers, civil administration officials, police and security force officers and other dignitaries.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the ceremony, KCP-Taibanganba chairman Haobijam Dilip alias Taibanganba said the group’s decision to join the peace process was prompted by the people’s desire for peace and their appeal to armed groups to return to the mainstream.

Dilip said the group had previously been in the mainstream but was drawn back into armed activity amid the conflict in Manipur, which, he claimed, led them to take up arms to defend the state and its territorial integrity.

With the situation showing signs of improvement, he said people were increasingly calling upon the group to 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 reflected the aspirations of the people of Manipur for peace and a political understanding, and marked the group’s move towards engagement with the state government.

The surrender of the 46 cadres and the weapons is part of the group’s stated shift from armed activity towards a political and peace-oriented engagement with the government.