Imphal, March 6 (NationPress) In response to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's appeal, a significant number of illegally held and looted arms, including several advanced weapons, were returned to the police on Thursday, marking the final day for voluntary surrender of arms, according to officials.

A senior police official stated late Thursday night that they are currently tallying the total number of arms and ammunition submitted during the final surrender period.

The official indicated that moving forward, both central and state security forces, including the Army, are set to initiate a large-scale operation aimed at recovering the remaining looted and illegally held arms in both the valley and hilly regions.

“Another key objective is to guarantee the unrestricted movement of people and vehicles on all roads in Manipur starting March 8, as directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” the official informed IANS.

According to senior police officials, by Wednesday, over 771 looted and illegally held weapons, including numerous sophisticated arms and a large stock of ammunition, had been returned to security forces since the Governor's initial appeal on February 20.

To aid in the restoration of peace and normalcy, the Union Home Minister conducted a high-level meeting in New Delhi on March 1 to assess the overall security situation in Manipur.

Present at the March 1 meeting were the Governor of Manipur, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor to the state government, Director General of Manipur police, Home Commissioner, senior Army officials, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces, and intelligence representatives.

During this meeting, the Home Minister emphasized the Centre's commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to restoring lasting peace in Manipur and pledged all necessary support.

The Home Minister instructed that free movement for residents on all roads in Manipur be ensured starting March 8 and mandated strict actions against anyone attempting to obstruct this.

He also called for prompt completion of the fencing along designated entry points of Manipur's border with Myanmar and stressed the dismantling of the entire network involved in the drug trade to make Manipur drug-free.

The meeting on March 1 was the first high-level review after the imposition of President's Rule in the northeastern state, which has experienced ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023.

President’s Rule was declared in Manipur on February 13, shortly after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. Reports indicate that during the ethnic riots between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023, more than 6,000 various types of sophisticated arms and a vast quantity of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts by mobs and militants.

Security forces have already recovered a considerable number of these looted arms during ongoing operations.

In a renewed appeal, Governor Bhalla stated on February 28: “The request made on February 20 has garnered a positive response. As the seven-day deadline for voluntary surrender expired, there have been requests from both valley and hill regions for an extension. I have considered this request and decided to prolong the deadline until 4 p.m. on March 6 for voluntary surrender without punitive measures. However, individuals discovered with illegal or looted arms after this deadline will face legal consequences.”