Imphal, February 27: In a significant development amid ongoing tensions in Manipur, a total of 104 firearms and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered by the public across six districts, police confirmed on Thursday.
The weapons were handed over in Kangpokpi, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Kakching on Wednesday—just a day before the seven-day deadline set by authorities for surrendering firearms came to an end.
On February 20, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urged people to surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, assuring that no punitive action would be taken against those who complied within the given timeframe. Echoing this stance, Chief Secretary PK Singh stated on February 23 that the time allotted for surrendering weapons was sufficient and that security forces would take stringent action after the deadline expired to recover illegal arms.
Since May 2023, Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups, leading to the deaths of over 250 people and displacing thousands.
The political scenario in the state has also witnessed major shifts. On February 13, the Centre imposed President’s rulein Manipur following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, plunging the state into political uncertainty. The Manipur Assembly, which remains in tenure until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation, as per a Ministry of Home Affairs notification.
With the surrender deadline now over, the focus is set to shift towards security operations aimed at recovering remaining illegal weapons.
Last updated by a enewsx:
