Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has issued a stern warning to the people of Manipur, urging them to voluntarily return illegally held weapons within seven days. Addressing both the Valley and Hills regions through an open letter, the Governor called for the return of normalcy in the state by putting an end to the ongoing hostility and violence.
Bhalla specifically appealed to the youth, asking them to return looted weapons and ammunition to the nearest police stations or security posts. He reassured the people that no punitive action would be taken against those who voluntarily surrender their arms during this period of reconciliation. However, he also made it clear that the government would take strict action against individuals found in possession of illegal weapons beyond the seven-day deadline.
“People of Manipur, both in Valley and Hills, have suffered immense hardship for the last over 20 months due to a series of unfortunate incidents affecting peace and communal harmony. In the greater interest of restoring normalcy, so that people can return to their normal day-to-day activities, all communities in the State must come forward to ensure the cessation of hostilities and maintenance of peace & order in society,” the Governor stated.
The appeal comes after a series of coordinated intelligence-based operations by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, which led to the apprehension of five cadres and the recovery of several illegal weapons in the districts of Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Bushnupur.
Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of arms in the vicinity of Tingkhai Khullen village, approximately 12 km south of Kotlen village in Kangpokpi district, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a search operation. The operation resulted in the recovery of one automatic rifle, one .32 mm pistol, one .22mm pistol, four single-barrel rifles, one mortar, ammunition, and war-like stores.