Dibrugarh: An active cadre of the banned outfit NSCN-R, self-styled Lieutenant Colonel Penngam Konyak (42), surrendered before security forces in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
Konyak, a resident of Nyasa village in Mon district, Nagaland, surrendered at the office of the Superintendent of Police, Tirap, in Khonsa, in the presence of officials from Tirap Police, 44 Assam Rifles, and the 36 Battalion of the CRPF.
He surrendered along with a pistol and live ammunition, officials said.
A senior police official in Khonsa said the surrender was the result of sustained pressure and persistent engagement by security forces in the region.
“This surrender reflects the sustained efforts of the security forces and police in promoting peace, stability, and security in Tirap district. It also reinforces the collective commitment towards restoring harmony and creating an environment conducive to development and progress in the region,” the official said.
Officials from the 44 Assam Rifles said such surrenders indicate that insurgent outfits are losing their hold over some of their cadres, many of whom are choosing to return to civilian life after years underground.
They added that continuous coordination among the Army, the CRPF, and the local police, along with community engagement in the Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts, has helped create conditions that encourage militants to surrender.
Officials said security forces have been conducting operations in eastern Arunachal Pradesh against insurgent groups to prevent any attempts to disrupt peace in the region.
According to officials, several insurgents have surrendered in recent months following outreach and rehabilitation efforts by security forces aimed at encouraging militants to return to civilian life.