Security forces have carried out a series of intelligence-based operations and recovered as many as 114 weapons, including Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and other war-like stores in Manipur. The recovery is an end to those two weeks accorded to voluntarily hand back looted and illegally held arms in the violence-hit state, according to an official statement Saturday.
The security operations were carried out in Bishnupur, Senapati, Thoubal, Jiribam, Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Imphal East and Imphal West. The operations were meant to stop the carrying of arms illegally and guarantee stability in the state that has suffered from inter ethnic strife for a long time.
More than 1,000 weapons and large amounts of ammunition were voluntarily turned in to security forces during the surrender period. On February 20, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had passed a message to armed groups that weapons looted from security forces or any armed group possessed illegally should be surrendered.
The first demand for voluntary surrender was given in a seven-day deadline. Despite this, the deadline was later extended to 4 PM March 6 after receiving numerous demands from residents of both the hill, as well as the valley regions. Despite this grace period, security forces continued to round up and recover illegal arms from targeted operations.
Confiscation of these weapons is a big step towards bringing legal order in Manipur. Authorities have said they will not allow any peace to be disrupted and that strict action stands against those found with illegal arms beyond the surrender period. Further operations are likely to continue in the coming days, and security forces will be on alert.
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