As the deadline for voluntary surrender of looted and illegally held weapons in strife-torn Manipur came to a close, officials announced that over 1,000 arms, including ammunition, had been handed over to the security forces. While the figure is provisional, with numbers still trickling in from all districts, authorities expect the actual count to rise.
Although the final tally remains uncertain, law enforcement agencies are already busy sorting through the surrendered arms, which include handguns, machine guns, grenades, mortars, and INSAS and AK-56 rifles. The last-minute surge in surrender, with 196 arms and miscellaneous items handed over on the deadline day alone, suggests a significant volume of looted and illegally held weapons have been relinquished.
The extended deadline, pushed by Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of the northeastern state still under President’s Rule, allowed residents in eight districts – Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Jiribam, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl – to surrender their weapons. According to authorities, a total of 36 arms, 129 rounds of ammunition, seven explosives, and 21 miscellaneous items were seized during combing and search operations that followed the deadline.
In a separate operation, the security forces destroyed 15 illegal bunkers in Kangpokpi district, disrupting the activities of those involved in NS-2 disruptions. As the dust settles, officials are now working to ensure the surrendered arms and ammunition are properly registered and stored, a crucial step in normalizing the situation in Manipur. With the situation still volatile, the recent surge in voluntary surrender of weapons offers a glimmer of hope for a safer future in the conflict-ridden region.
Sources: News article transcript | Official police statement
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/people-give-up-over-1000-illegal-arms-during-surrender-period-manipur-police-1180441-2025-03-07?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-03-07 12:06:00
