On the final day of the deadline given by Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, one of the major Meitei groups, Arambai Tenggol, voluntarily submitted 246 weapons to the security forces. This was a major step in the campaign to restore peace in the midst of ethnic violence that has plagued the state for over two years.
The seven-day deadline to return illegal and looted arms and ammunition was set in response to the escalating violence between the Meitei community in the Imphal valley and the Kuki-Zo groups in the hill districts. Over the course of the deadline, a total of 307 weapons were surrendered across Manipur on Thursday, with 246 of those coming from Arambai Tenggol at the 1st Manipur Rifles campus. The remaining 61 weapons were handed over at various locations across both the valley and hill districts.
Arambai Tenggol’s decision to surrender its weapons came after it received key assurances from Governor Bhalla. These assurances were pivotal in persuading the group to take this step towards peace. Governor Bhalla guaranteed several significant actions, including the eradication of illegal opium poppy cultivation in the state, the construction of border fencing for enhanced security, and the establishment of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with the 1951 cutoff date. Additionally, Bhalla assured that the Kuki terrorists would be prevented from carrying out further attacks and that the territorial integrity of Manipur would be preserved.
Saikhom Munindro Mangang, the Commissioner of Arambai Tenggol, confirmed that the group’s decision was influenced by these guarantees. He further stated that the group had requested general amnesty for its members, a request that the authorities have agreed to consider. Furthermore, an agreement was made to allow unarmed members of Arambai Tenggol to move freely across the state.
The voluntary surrender of these weapons is seen as a crucial step toward restoring peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law in Manipur. The state has been rocked by ethnic violence since May 2023, which has resulted in over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people. By surrendering weapons, there is hope that a safer and more secure state will be available in the near future. In case a person possesses any looted or illegal arms, the police officers have requested that such persons come up to surrender the arms within the period set, and also assured that any one who will come voluntarily will not be punished.
The surrender of arms is taking place in a politically sensitive climate in Manipur. After the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the President’s Rule was imposed on February 13.
Officials are making a clarion call to anyone still possessing an illegal weapon as they enter the final lap. It is further hoped that these efforts could pave the way for long-term peace and stability in Manipur.
