In a significant move towards restoring peace in Manipur, over 1,000 illegal weapons have been surrendered following an ultimatum by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. This initiative aims to address the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, which has led to over 250 deaths and displaced thousands since May 2023.
On February 20, Governor Bhalla urged individuals to surrender looted and illegal weapons within seven days, assuring no punitive action during this period. The deadline was later extended to March 6 due to positive public response.
Manipur 1,000 Weapons Surrendered
The surrendered arsenal includes handguns, machine guns, grenades, mortars, INSAS rifles, and AK-56 rifles. Authorities are assessing how many of these were looted from state armories during the conflict.
The highest single-day surrender occurred on February 27, when 307 weapons were handed over, including 246 by the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol. Following the surrender deadline, security forces intensified operations to recover remaining illegal arms and dismantle illegal bunkers in various districts.
This crackdown is part of broader efforts to quell ongoing ethnic violence exacerbated by militants from neighboring Myanmar, who have brought sophisticated weaponry into the region. The successful surrender of these weapons marks a positive step towards peace and stability in Manipur, with authorities committed to restoring normalcy in the region.
