In an official release on Friday, the Governor said, “Upon expiry of the seven-day deadline for voluntary surrender of such arms, there has been demand from both valley and hill areas to extend the period for surrender. I have considered the request and decided to extend the deadline up to 4 pm of 06 March 2025 for voluntary surrender of such arms.”
He further said that during this time, no one who owns looted or illegal weapons and ammunition will face punishment if they surrender them. However, if such arms and ammunition are not surrendered, anyone found with them beyond the deadline will face severe legal action, he added.
The release further mentioned that the police and security forces will conduct operations after the deadline to identify people who have not surrendered their weapons.
Bhalla said, “This is the last opportunity for everyone concerned to contribute to peace, communal harmony, safeguarding the future of our youths and security of our society. We again request all those still in possession of such weapons to avail themselves of this final chance to surrender them without any fear of prosecution within the given period.”
In the statement, Bhalla further said, “Come forward and choose peace.”
As the President’s rule came into effect in the violence-hit state, Bhalla, in a statement on February 20, urged the people to voluntarily surrender the looted and illegally held weapons within seven days.
During the earlier deadline, which ended on Thursday, over 300 weapons had been surrendered.
To restore peace and normalcy in the state, Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, has urged the people, especially the youth, to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons. pic.twitter.com/z3YFhl7NVS
— RAJ BHAVAN MANIPUR (@RajBhavManipur) February 20, 2025
“To restore peace and normalcy in the state, Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, has urged the people, especially the youth, to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons,” he wrote on X on February 20.
The Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, 2025, after N Biren Singh tendered his resignation from the post of chief minister.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
