46 cadres of banned KCP(PWG) insurgent group surrender in Manipur

The Defence Ministry says the mass transition is significant, as none of these cadres were part of prior peace agreements.

Published — July 22, 2026 09:08 am IST — New Delhi By The Hindu Bureau

As many as 46 active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) [KCP(PWG)], a Meitei insurgent outfit, laid down their arms in the presence of Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh at the Assam Rifles (AR) headquarters on Tuesday (July 21, 2026).

“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,” a statement by the Ministry of Defence said.

“While some of the cadres were in Myanmar, others were operating from Imphal Valley and were primarily involved in extortions,” said an AR official. They are in the age group of 22–53 years.

The Ministry added that the mass transition is significant, as none of these cadres were part of prior peace agreements. It said that 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, the Ministry said.

Severe Operational Degradation

“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 two PWG factions, it represents a severe operational degradation that significantly dismantles their regional anti-social networks and territorial reach,” the Ministry said.

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 Government 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.

Photo Credit: PTI