Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal, Manipur: In a major security breakthrough poised to usher in a stable and development-oriented era,
a profound turnaround has been achieved in Manipur. On 21 July 2026, 46 active cadres of
the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) surrendered to the
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Y. Khemchand Singh, at the Mantripukhri Garrison, HQ Assam
Rifles (South) in the Imphal East district. The event was graced by the presence of the Govindas Konthoujam
Minister of Home and Khuraijam Loken Singh Minister of Art & Culture and Tourism of the Govt of Manipur along with senior government and security officials, including MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security
Advisor to the Govt. of Manipur, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps, DGP Manipur
Police, IG Assam Rifles (South), Home Commissioner, DIG CRPF and other dignitaries
from the State Administration, Security Forces and other stakeholders. Choosing to
embrace mainstream civilian life, these individuals voluntarily laid down 28 sophisticated
weapons comprising AK rifles, 303 rifles, pistols, double-barrel rifles, single-barrel rifles,
INSAS rifle, Self Loading Rifle, Carbine Machine Guns and Rocket Propelled Grenade
launcher, alongside a large quantity of magazines, ammunition and explosives.
This mass transition is highly significant as none of these cadres were part of prior peace
agreements. It directly addresses the legacy of the KCP, founded on 14 April 1980 by
communist ideologues Y. Ibohanbi and Ibopishak. Over the decades, ideological decay
fractured the group into numerous entities. The People’s War Group (PWG) faction
emerged as a highly disruptive splinter unit, severely impacting valley districts including
Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching through anti-social and anti-national activities.
Historically, surrenders from the KCP (PWG) have occurred in much smaller increments,
such as groups of five to twelve cadres yielding to authorities in recent years. The
submission of 46 active cadres simultaneously, is an unprecedented event for this specific
faction. While it cannot be definitively stated that this marks the absolute dissolution of the PWG faction, it represents a severe operational degradation that significantly dismantles
their regional anti-social networks and territorial reach.
This successful turnaround is the culmination of weeks of determined outreach by the
Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and allied agencies duly supported by the State Govt.
functionaries. Their restrained, civilian-first approach successfully motivated these cadres to
give up militancy, clearing the path for long-stalled public infrastructure development and
regional prosperity.
