Imphal, Jan 7: In all, 43 militants including a woman cadre of 8 outfits laid down their arms and ammunition to Chief Minister N Biren Singh here at a function on Saturday.

The 43 cadres of different extremist outfits included 13 cadres of KYKL, 5 from PLA/RPF, 5 from KCP N, 11 from KCP, 5 from UNLF, 1 from PREPAK, 2 from PREPAK (PRO) and from 1 NSCN (U).

The surrendered militants deposited many arms, ammunition and gadgets including 19 arms consisting of AK series rifles, pistols, hand grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices and live ammunition.

Manipur Director General of Police P. Doungel said that with the surrender of 43 militants, 644 utras of various outfits have come to the mainstream.

Addressing the surrendered militants, the Chief Minister said the doors of the government are always open for anyone willing to give up arms and join the mainstream of life. He said that the government would provide the rehabilitation benefits under the scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the northeastern states, 2018 of the Union Home Ministry to those militants surrendering to the government.

“Unity and ethnic harmony among all sections of the society is the need of the hour for building a prosperous and peaceful Manipur. With the collective efforts of the security forces and the civil society, ‘War Against Drugs’ would be successful to make Manipur a drugs free state,” Singh said.

Under the revised MHA scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants, a one-time financial grant of Rs 4 lakhs is provided to each of the surrendered militants. The amount is to be kept in a bank in their name as fixed deposit for a period of three years. Each surrendered militant is also paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 6,000 besides incentives for surrendered weapons. Also, the surrendered militant has to stay in a rehabilitation camp for three years.