Manipur CM calls for surrender of illegal arms to achieve lasting peace

PTI, 25 October 2026, Imphal : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday said the state could not achieve lasting peace as long as “gun culture” persisted, appealing to people to surrender illegal arms.

Singh made the remarks during a visit to Sinai Camp, a designated camp for militants under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement in Kangpokpi district, according to an official statement.

The camp was recently taken over by the CRPF following joint operations involving its CoBRA unit, police and other security forces in the aftermath of the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum in Imphal East district.

During the operation, 17 people allegedly impersonating SoO cadres using false identities were found at the camp. The facility was supposed to accommodate around 150 cadres, the statement said.

Sinai Camp was a designated camp of the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), both signatories to the SoO agreement.

The statement described Singh’s visit as the first by a sitting chief minister to a designated SoO camp.

Upon his arrival, Singh inspected the camp premises and was briefed by CRPF and Assam Rifles officers on the operations and the prevailing law and order situation in the area.

Interacting with senior security officers and personnel, the chief minister commended the CRPF’s CoBRA battalion for its role in the operation that led to the camp coming under the security forces’ control.

He stressed that adequate care must be taken to ensure that innocent civilians were not affected during combing operations.

Security personnel were there to protect people’s lives and property, he said.

Singh stressed that Manipur could not progress or achieve lasting peace as long as gun culture prevailed.

He appealed to people to renounce violence, surrender illegal weapons and work together to restore peace and harmony in the state.

The chief minister later interacted with civil society organisation (CSO) representatives and villagers in the area.

On another occasion, the chief minister said his government would form a committee with representatives from all 36 communities in the state to promote peace, harmony and inclusive development.

Singh said the proposal followed a query from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether such a committee existed to bring all communities together.

Singh was speaking at an event on Saturday held to felicitate hill chiefs of different tribes at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal.

The event followed the inauguration of the Hill (Tribal) Chiefs’ Guest House at Palace Compound as part of the Mera Hou Chongba festival.

Singh said all communities had contributed to defending and safeguarding Manipur throughout its history, as he recalled the Anglo-Manipur War and the Seven Years’ Devastation to pay tribute to the sacrifices made to protect the state’s land, identity and heritage.

The chief minister expressed hope that the festival would usher in peace and prosperity and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood.

He expressed happiness that people from the hill areas, including some who were earlier reluctant to visit Imphal, had joined the festival this year.

He said the guest house was not merely a physical structure but a symbol of brotherhood between the hills and the valley.

The Mera Hou Chongba festival celebrates peace and brotherhood among different tribes and communities of the state.