Manipur: A Total of 690 Looted and Illegal Arms Returned to Security Forces in 10 Days

Imphal, March 2 (NationPress) With the recent return of 62 additional looted and illegally held firearms to the security forces, a total of approximately 690 weapons have been handed back to the authorities in Manipur over the last 10 days, officials reported on Sunday.

A police representative indicated that 62 diverse types of looted weapons along with a substantial amount of various types of ammunition were surrendered to the police and other security forces in the past 24 hours across Imphal West, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Tamenglong districts.

In a related development, security personnel, during their ongoing search operations, discovered several arms along with a large cache of ammunition in the Imphal West district.

Additionally, the security forces have been actively destroying illegal poppy plantations, having eradicated 15 acres of such crops in the Tengnoupal district, while also demolishing five illegal bunkers in Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.

A defense spokesperson noted that the tireless efforts of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, in collaboration with Manipur Police, civil authorities, and other security entities, facilitated the surrender of 99 weapons across the hill and valley districts from February 27 to March 1.

According to the spokesman, the Army, Assam Rifles, and other security forces remain committed to promoting peace, security, and development in the region through joint operations and ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders.

A senior police official expressed optimism that many organizations and individuals will continue to return looted arms and ammunition in the coming days. Following the seven-day period that ended on February 28, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla extended the deadline for the return of looted and illegal weapons and ammunition by an additional week, warning that strict legal action would be enforced against anyone possessing such arms after the new deadline on March 6.

To date, over 690 looted and illegally held arms, including many sophisticated weapons and a significant cache of ammunition, have been returned since the Governor's initial appeal on February 20.

In his latest appeal, Governor Bhalla stated on Friday: "The request made on February 20 has received a positive response. Following the expiration of the original seven-day deadline for voluntary surrender, there has been a demand from both valley and hill areas for an extension. I have taken this request into account and decided to extend the deadline until 4 p.m. on March 6 for voluntary surrender of such arms."

"During this timeframe, no punitive measures will be taken against individuals who voluntarily surrender weapons. However, anyone found with illegal or looted arms after the set deadline will face legal repercussions," he cautioned.

In efforts to restore peace and stability, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a review of the overall security situation in Manipur on Saturday. He emphasized that the Centre, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully dedicated to achieving lasting peace in Manipur and is providing all necessary support in this effort. The Home Minister requested that free movement be guaranteed for individuals on all roads in Manipur starting from March 8 and demanded strict action against anyone attempting to create barriers.

He also ordered the completion of fencing work on both sides of designated entry points along Manipur's border with Myanmar as soon as possible, noting that to ensure drug-free conditions in Manipur, the entire network involved in the drug trade must be dismantled.

Saturday’s meeting in Delhi marked the first high-level review following the imposition of President's Rule in the northeastern state, which has been experiencing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023. President's Rule was enacted in Manipur on February 13, just four days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.

Attending Saturday’s meeting were the Manipur Governor, senior state government officials, the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, the head of the Army's Eastern Command, and the Directors General of the BSF, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, along with the Security Advisor of the Manipur government, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police.