Imphal (27) – People in as many as four districts of Manipur, which has been reeling from communal violence, are believed to have surrendered over 100 weapons to the police and security forces. Police officers said that these weapons were surrendered voluntarily by the public. Earlier this month, on February 13, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had appealed to surrender the looted or illegally possessed arms within seven days. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had further assured that no punitive action would be taken against citizens if they surrendered their weapons within the given time frame. Arms were surrendered en masse in response to the appeal. Various weapons were surrendered from several police stations in Kangpokpi, Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Imphal West districts. At Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi District, 9 mm CB1A1 pistols, 9 mm magazines, grenades, cartridges, wireless sets, and other items were surrendered on Thursday. While in Bishnupur district, a single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) gun was surrendered at Phaugkachao Ikhai police station. Weapons have been surrendered in different police stations of Imphal East and Imphal West districts. However, the police did not reveal which particular group or groups have surrendered these weapons. For 2 years in Manipur, ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki groups has been going on, and Manipur is burning. More than 250 people have died, and thousands have been displaced. Many citizens have taken refuge in neighboring states. Over 6000 different types of sophisticated weapons and lakhs of different types of ammunition were looted from police stations and checkpoints by mobs and militants during ethnic riots in Meitei and Kuki zone communities since 3 May 2023. Security forces have so far recovered a large number of looted weapons. The call by the Governor of Manipur is said to be part of a wider effort to restore order in the state.
Dr. Anupriya Gaikwad
For True to Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.