Imphal: A significant quantity of arms, totaling 196, along with ammunition and miscellaneous items, were voluntarily surrendered to security forces in Manipur by the deadline of 4 PM on Thursday, March 6th. This marked the culmination of an extended period granted by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for the return of looted and illegally held weapons in the strife-torn state. The surrender spanned across eight districts: Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Jiribam, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl.
Following the deadline, joint security forces initiated comprehensive combing and search operations across various regions of Manipur. These operations resulted in the recovery of an additional 36 arms, 129 rounds of ammunition, seven explosives, and 21 miscellaneous items. Furthermore, 15 illegal bunkers were dismantled, with 12 destroyed in the K Langnom and Khengjang areas, and three in Haraothel, all located within the Kangpokpi district.
The extension of the surrender deadline, originally set for seven days from February 20th, was granted by Governor Bhalla in response to widespread requests from both hill and valley regions seeking more time. The administration had assured the public that no punitive action would be taken against those surrendering weapons within the designated period, emphasizing the final opportunity to contribute to peace, communal harmony, and societal security. This followed an initial seven-day period during which over 300 weapons were surrendered, primarily in the valley districts.
The ongoing situation in Manipur stems from ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, which erupted in May 2023, resulting in over 250 deaths and thousands of displaced individuals. In the wake of these events, the central government imposed President’s Rule on February 13th, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state assembly, with its tenure until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation.
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