33 arms surrendered in five Manipur districts

PTI, March 3, 2025, IMPHAL: Thirty-three arms and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered by the public in five districts in strife-torn Manipur, police on Tuesday.

The arm surrenders were made in Churachandpur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur districts, a senior officer said.

Notably, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has recently extended the deadline for the surrender of looted and illegal arms till 4 PM on March 6, following demands by people from both hill and valley areas for additional time.

Bhalla had on February 20 urged the people of the state to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, assuring no punitive action would be initiated against those giving up arms during this period.

Chief Secretary PK Singh had also said that the seven-day time given for voluntarily surrendering weapons is enough if one wants to give up arms and asserted that the forces would take action after the expiry of the period to recover such guns.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.

The Centre had imposed President’s rule in Manipur on February 13, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post leading to political uncertainty in the northeastern state.

The Manipur assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

KalimNews: Further Manipur Police stated that on 03.03.2025, a total of 33 (thirty-three) different types of weapons, various ammunitions/ munitions and other miscellaneous items were voluntarily surrendered by the public to the following places in Churachandpur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur Districts are as follows:

A.  Churachandpur District:

a. At Churachandpur-PS, Churachandpur District.

i.02 (two) nos. of DBBL (Made in India), 

ii.01 (one) no. of .303 Rifle with one Magazine,

iii.01 (one) no. of SLR Rifle 7.62 mm 1A1  with one Magazine,

iv.01 (one) no. of .303 Rifle with one Magazine,

v.01 (one) no. of M4A4 Carbine (Property of US Govt.) Cal. 5.56 mm with one Magazine,

vi.01 (one) no. of local made Stand Gun with one Magazine, 

vii.01 (one) no. of .303 Rifle Body No.714K (1949 No.1MK 3) with one Magazine and five live rounds,

viii.03 (three) nos. of local made Pumpi,

ix.01 (one) no. of .303 Rifle (Modified short barrel) with one Magazine,

x.01 (one) no. of small Pumpi local made with six rounds,

xi.03 (three) nos. of Walkie Talkie with three chargers, 

xii.04 (four) no. of Magazine pouch (vest),

xiii.09 (nine) nos. of .303 live rounds and

xiv.02 (two) nos. of local hand Grenade.