Days after Manipur’s largest weapon surrender, 42 more firearms handed over

Security forces in Manipur have recovered 42 more firearms and destroyed five illegal bunkers as part of ongoing efforts to curb violence in the conflict-hit state, police said on March 2 .

The firearms were surrendered across five districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Tamenglong — on March 1.

In Bishnupur district, five firearms, including two pistols, along with six grenades and over 75 cartridges, were handed over to authorities. Meanwhile, at Kaimai police station in Tamenglong, 17 country-made guns, nine locally manufactured ‘pompi’ mortars, and a cache of ammunition were surrendered.

Additionally, at least 10 more firearms and cartridges were turned in at Yaingangpokpi, Porompat, Churachandpur, and Lamsang police stations, officials confirmed.

Weapons seized in search operations

Security personnel also seized a significant cache of arms and explosives during search operations at Sairemkhul in Imphal West district on March 1. The recovered items included an INSAS light machine gun (LMG) with a loaded magazine, an AK-56 rifle, three self-loading rifles (SLRs), a 9mm submachine gun, a .303 rifle, a double-barrel gun, and multiple grenades, including a Chinese hand grenade.

Illegal bunkers dismantled

Authorities dismantled two illegal bunkers at Mark Hill under the Thingsat hill range in Kangpokpi district. Three more bunkers were destroyed at Wakan hill range, spanning parts of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.

Deadline for weapon surrender extended

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had initially set a Feb 20 deadline for armed groups to surrender weapons looted from security forces, along with other illegal firearms. During the initial seven-day window, more than 300 weapons were turned in, mostly in the valley districts.

Following requests from both hill and valley communities for additional time, the deadline for voluntary surrender was extended until 4 p.m. on March 6.

Ongoing ethnic conflict

Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, resulting in over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands. The situation escalated further, leading to the imposition of President’s Rule on Feb 13, after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly remains under suspended animation, with its tenure officially running until 2027.

Authorities continue to urge armed groups to disarm as part of efforts to restore stability in the violence-hit state.