Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday announced a 15-day deadline for people possessing illegal weapons to surrender them, warning that those who fail to comply will face legal action.

The deadline applies to illegal weapons held in both the valley and hill areas of the state. The announcement comes amid continuing efforts by the Manipur government and security agencies to restore peace following the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023.

CM warns illegal weapon holders

Singh announced the deadline during an event titled ‘Display on the Initiatives towards bringing Normalcy in Manipur’ at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.

The Chief Minister said the prolonged conflict had severely affected development in Manipur. He noted that several peace outreach initiatives had been undertaken across districts since the new government assumed office on February 4, with the objective of restoring lasting peace.

According to Singh, the law-and-order situation had stabilised during the period of President’s Rule, while security forces had recovered or seized a substantial number of illegal weapons.

However, he said the continued presence of illegal firearms in both the valley and hill areas remained a serious concern.

The Chief Minister warned that anyone failing to surrender illegal weapons within the 15-day period would face action under the law.

Over 1,400 firearms recovered

Singh said security forces had recovered more than 1,400 weapons since he assumed office in February.

Director General of Police Mukesh Singh provided further details about the recovery operations conducted between February and August.

According to the DGP, Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, the Army, Assam Rifles and other security and law enforcement agencies recovered 1,422 firearms during the period.

The operations also resulted in the recovery of more than 7,000 rounds of ammunition and 1,137 explosives.

A total of 491 extremists were arrested during the sustained security operations, the DGP said.

The figures indicate the scale of the security challenge facing the state as authorities continue efforts to remove illegal arms from circulation.

Weapons still held by village volunteers

Security officials said a significant number of illegal weapons were still believed to be in the possession of ‘village volunteers’ deployed by communities in the valley and hill regions.

These volunteers had reportedly been positioned by communities to protect their villages from possible attacks during the conflict.

Security forces have dismantled several bunkers and recovered weapons allegedly held by such groups. However, officials believe that many weapons and bunkers remain beyond their reach.

A security officer said the continued availability of such weapons was contributing to attacks and that complete recovery of illegal firearms was necessary for lasting peace.

The authorities are therefore seeking voluntary surrender of the weapons while warning of legal consequences for those who continue to possess them.

Weapons looted during 2023 conflict

The government has also expressed concern over firearms that were allegedly taken from security forces during the conflict in 2023.

Some of these weapons have subsequently been surrendered or recovered by security agencies. However, officials believe a considerable number remain in illegal possession.

Recovering these firearms is considered an important part of the government’s broader effort to improve the security situation and prevent further violence.

The 15-day surrender window is intended to provide an opportunity for people holding such weapons to hand them over before enforcement action is initiated.

Government warns against highway extortion

The government’s warning was not limited to illegal weapons.

Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said strict action would also be taken against individuals and organisations allegedly involved in extortion, intimidation or harassment of transporters along National Highways.

He said the government was considering invoking the National Security Act against extortionists and miscreants operating along the highways.

The announcement comes amid continuing concerns over disruption to transportation routes in the state.

NH-2 blockade adds to concerns

The government’s warning follows the refusal by major Naga organisations to withdraw a blockade on National Highway-2.

The highway connects Imphal with Dimapur through Kangpokpi, an area with a significant Kuki population.

The blockade was imposed in June following the killing of six Nagas, allegedly by Kuki individuals.

The dispute has added to the security and transportation challenges faced by the state, with authorities now warning that individuals or organisations involved in intimidation and extortion along the highways could face stringent action.

Government focuses on restoring normalcy

The latest announcements form part of the Manipur government’s wider efforts to restore normalcy after more than three years of ethnic conflict.

The Chief Minister said peace outreach programmes had been conducted in several districts and reiterated the government’s objective of achieving lasting peace.

However, the continued presence of illegal weapons remains a major obstacle to these efforts.

By setting a specific deadline for surrender, the government has sought to combine an opportunity for voluntary compliance with the threat of legal action against those who refuse.

The success of the initiative will depend on the extent to which illegal firearms are surrendered and whether security agencies are able to recover weapons that remain in circulation.

With more than 1,400 firearms already recovered since February and hundreds of arrests reported, authorities are continuing to rely on coordinated operations involving state police, central forces, the Army and other security agencies.