Dibrugarh: In a setback to insurgent activities in Arunachal Pradesh, an active cadre of the banned NSCN-R, self-styled Lieutenant Colonel Penngam Konyak, 42, laid down arms and surrendered before security forces on Friday.
Konyak, a resident of Nyasa village in Nagaland’s Mon district, surrendered at the office of the Superintendent of Police, Tirap, in Khonsa. Officials from Tirap Police, 44 Assam Rifles and the 36th Battalion of the CRPF were present.
He surrendered 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 44 Assam Rifles said such surrenders point to the weakening grip of insurgent outfits over their cadres, with many choosing to return to civilian life after years underground.
They added that continued coordination between the Army, CRPF and local police, along with community engagement in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding districts, has helped create an atmosphere conducive to surrenders.
Security forces have launched operations in eastern Arunachal Pradesh to foil attempts by insurgents to disrupt peace in the region.
In recent months, several insurgents have laid down their arms as security forces stepped up efforts to help them return to the mainstream.
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