Imphal: In response to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s appeal, a total of 196 looted and illegally held firearms, including several sophisticated weapons, were returned to the police on Thursday, the final day for surrendering weapons. The surrendered arms, along with a large cache of ammunition, were handed over across eight districts of Manipur, including Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.
A senior police official stated that following this, a joint operation involving Central and state security forces, including the Army and Assam Rifles, will be launched to recover the remaining illegally held arms in both the valley and hilly districts. The official also mentioned that ensuring the free movement of people and vehicles on all roads in Manipur, as directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will be another priority from March 8.
As of March 6, over 967 looted and illegally held weapons, along with a large amount of ammunition, had been returned to the authorities since Governor Bhalla’s initial appeal on February 20. This move is part of the broader efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the region. On March 1, a high-level security review meeting led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi discussed the security situation in Manipur and emphasized the commitment of the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, to ensuring lasting peace. Amit Shah also directed that free movement for people be restored on all roads from March 8 and called for strict action against anyone obstructing this process.
Furthermore, Amit Shah instructed the swift completion of fencing work along Manipur’s border with Myanmar and emphasized dismantling the entire drug trade network in the region. This meeting marked the first top-level review since the imposition of President’s Rule in the state on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Reports have indicated that during the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began on May 3, 2023, over 6,000 types of sophisticated weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts by mobs and militants. Security forces have been recovering these looted arms through continuous operations.
Governor Bhalla’s recent appeal for the voluntary surrender of weapons was extended until 4 p.m. on March 6. Individuals who surrendered weapons during this period faced no punitive action, but those found with illegal or looted arms after the deadline would be subject to legal consequences.