Altogether 45 tribal militants, members of the United Tribal Liberation Army (SK Thadou group), surrendered their weapons on Wednesday after signing an accord with the Union and Manipur governments.
The homecoming ceremony was held at Jiribam in Imphal east district. About 42 weapons — including AK 47, AK 56 and M-16 rifles — were recovered along with assorted guns and pistols.
The Union government was represented by Shambu Singh, Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, while Suresh Babu (Principal Secretary Home Ministry) was present on behalf of the Manipur government.
This is the 19th underground organisation to rejoin the mainstream since 2008. For the time being, they will be lodged in the camp of a security force and shifted once a designated camp is constructed.