At the SP Office under TBL-PS in Thoubal District, individuals handed over a range of arms and ammunition, including a submachine gun with a magazine, a tear gas gun, two sniper rifles, a double-barrel gun, a single-barrel gun, and a .38mm pistol. They also submitted mortar shells, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), hand grenades, handheld radio sets, and protective gear.
In Imphal East District, people surrendered an AK-56 rifle with a magazine, a 2.3.01×7.62mm MAS Series bolt-action sniper rifle with a magazine, and a .303 rifle with a magazine to the SP under HGN-PS.
Meanwhile, security forces seized a .303 rifle with a magazine, three country-made single-barrel guns, a high-trajectory modified 81mm mortar (pumpi), three IEDs, ammunition, and three improvised bombs during search operations in the Langza area of Churachandpur district on February 23.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had urged residents to surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, assuring them that no punitive action would be taken against those who complied. However, he warned that authorities would take “strict action” once the deadline expired.
President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, and the assembly was placed under suspended animation. This followed the resignation of N Biren Singh as Chief Minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence, which has claimed over 250 lives so far.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
