In a significant development, at least 34 armed militants of the United National Liberation Front or UNLF surrendered to the Assam Rifles with their automatic weapons, officials reported. The insurgents, attempting to infiltrate into Manipur from Myanmar, chose to lay down their arms after an intense firefight with the rival People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Myanmar.
The Assam Rifles unit, conducting vigilant surveillance in the border area, spotted and challenged the insurgents. Facing a formidable presence and realising the futility of further resistance, the entire group opted to surrender with their weapons.
“They were trying to enter into Manipur after they came under intense firing from the rival PDF in Myanmar,” officials explained. “They were spotted and challenged by an Assam Rifles unit that was keeping a vigil in the area. The entire group of 34 armed insurgents chose to surrender with their automatic weapons before the force.”
Following the surrender, the militants were handed over to the State police. This group is believed to be from the valley-based insurgent faction UNLF(P), which entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Union Government and the Manipur Government on November 29, 2023.
The peaceful surrender of these militants marks a noteworthy step towards stabilising the region and underscores the effectiveness of vigilant border security measures combined with ongoing peace efforts.
