Imphal, November 10: In a major breakthrough achieved by the security force eight militants belonging to two underground outfits surrendered to the 18 Assam Rifles while four cadres of the UNLF and KCP have been apprehended.

According to a press statement issued separately by the PIB (Defence Wing) and PRO HQ IGAR (South) the surrender ceremony took place at chandel district today and was attended by top uniformed and civil officials among whom included Chandel district Deputy Commissioner Norbert Dishinang, DIG Christopher (IPS), DIG 26 Sector (AR) Brig RA Lewis and Chandel SP G Bimal Chandra Sharma.

The surrendered militants include six belonging to the KLA and two KCP (City Meitei) group cadres, said the statements while asserting that the surrender ceremony was conducted under the Ministry of home Affairs' "Review scheme for surrender cum rehabilitation of militants in the North East".

The KLA surrenderees have been identified as S Thangkhogin Mate (one Navy sten-gun), Somilien Mate (Chinese rifle), LS Thengkholal Mate (US Carbine), M Lunjangam Haokip (Sten-machine gun), John Kammienthang (9mm pistol) and H Thangkho Mate (M-16 rifle).

City Meitei group of the KCP along with weapons surrendered are M Sanamacha Singh (US Carbine) and Huidrom Shyam Singh (AK-56).Maintaining that efforts to wean away misguided youths and hard-core militants bore fruit for the time with the surrender of four KLA cadres in May-June at Tengnoupal since induction of 18 Assam Rifles in Chandel district, the statements also informed of two other major events of surrender taking place in which the six KLA and two KCP activists laid down arms to the AR authorities.

The multiple approach adopted by the Assam rifles - 'Friends of the North East' - towards countering militancy by creating strong emotional base amongst the locals based on excellent rapport and mutual trust was appreciated by one and all present during the solemn surrender ceremony, expressed the PRO.

Another statement handed to the press informed of four UNLF and KCP cadres rounded up during massive search operation launched under 'Op Dhanush' from different locations.

During the search operation conducted at Langathel area personnel of 4 Assam Rifles nabbed one s/s Cpl S Athouba Meitei alias Chingkhei (21) of the proscribed UNLF on November 8 night.

On questioning Athouba s/o Ibocha Singh, who hails from Langathel, hideout of a KCP (P) cadre was revealed, it said.

The KCP man identified as P Ningthombi Singh (30) of Khongjom was arrested the next morning along with one 9mm pistol (Chinese make), a hand grenade, 15 rounds of SLR weapon besides 10 9mm ammunition.

Ningthombi, s/o P Herochandra, is informed to be the KCP's Khongjom area commander.

Another team of the same AR unit apprehended two KCP (P) cadres from Yourabung on the intervening night of November 9-10, it said identifying the arrested persons as Yumnam Chandra Singh (24) s/o Y Mohan Singh and L Babu alias Tomba (21) s/o L Naba Singh.

Both are from Yourabung.

Stating that the KCP duo had revealed identity of their other accomplices and efforts are on to nab them, the PRO statement mentioned of the arrested persons having carried out extensive extortion in Yourabung area.

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