Manipur: Nearly 300 Weapons Returned Following Governor's Call
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In response to the appeal from Manipur's Governor, nearly 300 looted weapons and a significant amount of ammunition have been returned to security forces. This comes after ethnic riots saw a substantial amount of arms looted. The ongoing efforts aim to restore peace in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Governor's appeal300 looted arms.
- Additional arms expected to be returned shortly.
- Significant types of weapons include AK series rifles and SLRs.
- Efforts to dismantle illegal bunkers and combat drug plantations ongoing.
- Dialogue among communities is crucial for restoring peace.
Imphal, Feb 27 (NationPress) Following the appeal made by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, nearly 300 looted firearms, comprising numerous advanced weaponry, along with a significant stockpile of diverse ammunition, have been returned to various security forces over the last week, officials disclosed on Thursday.
A senior police official indicated that additional looted firearms and ammunition are expected to be submitted to the authorities in the upcoming days.
The collection of returned weapons includes AK series rifles, carbines, self-loading rifles (SLR), single-barrel rifles, and mortars.
In a promising development, the radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol is anticipated to hand over over 200 firearms and thousands of ammunition pieces to the Manipur Police on Thursday or Friday, according to the official, who chose to remain anonymous.
Reports indicate that during the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023, over 6,000 various types of advanced firearms and countless rounds of ammunition were looted from police facilities and outposts by mobs and militants.
So far, security forces have successfully retrieved a considerable number of these looted weapons.
Following the Governor's appeal on February 20 for the return of looted arms and ammunition, individuals and groups have consistently been returning these weapons to the Manipur Police, Army, Assam Rifles, and other security forces across various districts, including Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur.
Rajiv Singh, the Director General of Police for Manipur, previously stated that weapons held by certain individuals must be surrendered to the authorities, and that dialogue among the conflicting communities would aid in restoring peace and normalcy within the state.
He emphasized that the reduction of weaponization in society would significantly contribute to normalizing the situation and reinstating peace. He urged that arms and ammunition still in the community should be returned to the security forces from which they were taken or looted.
“The Manipur Police and other central forces are tirelessly working to recover the arms and ammunition that were seized from police and other security forces since the ethnic violence erupted in May of last year,” Singh informed the media.
During search and combing operations in various districts, the Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and other forces have dismantled over half a dozen illegal bunkers established by armed groups and village volunteers from different communities. The security forces also eradicated illegal poppy fields across extensive areas in various hill districts and arrested over 50 members of several militant organizations, including the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG), and the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).
