News Reporter
Significant Step Towards Peace as 16 Weapons and Ammunition Surrendered
Churachandpur, Manipur: In a major step towards restoring peace and stability in Manipur, members of the Zomi and Kuki communities voluntarily surrendered 16 weapons and a cache of ammunition in Churachandpur district. This comes in response to an appeal made by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 20, 2025, urging individuals to return looted and illegally held firearms within seven days.
Following the Governor’s call, Assam Rifles, in collaboration with Manipur Police, CRPF, state intelligence agencies, and the state administration, engaged with Zomi and Kuki community leaders to address security concerns and ensure their safety. These discussions paved the way for a successful surrender, reflecting a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing peace process.
Weapons Surrendered in Presence of Officials
On February 22, 2025, at Tuibong Village in Churachandpur, community representatives officially handed over the weapons in the presence of senior officials from Assam Rifles, CRPF, Manipur’s civil administration, police, and intelligence agencies.
The surrendered arms include:
- One M-16 rifle
- One 7.62 mm SLR
- Two AK rifles
- Three INSAS rifles
- Two M-79 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGL)
- One 9mm carbine machine gun
- One 51mm mortar
- Three .303 rifles
- Two single-barrel rifles
- 64 gelatine sticks
- 10 rounds of 60mm Pumpi (improvised mortar) ammunition
- 17 rounds of AK ammunition
- 40 rounds of 5.56mm rifle ammunition
- Three rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition
Authorities Hail the Surrender as a Major Milestone
Security officials hailed the surrender as a crucial step in de-escalating tensions and ensuring long-term stability in Manipur. They emphasized that the process of de-weaponization is essential for bringing an end to violence and fostering a secure environment for all communities.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and engagement with community leaders to encourage further surrender of arms. They also stressed the importance of reintegrating the youth into constructive development initiatives, steering them away from violence.
This voluntary disarmament marks a significant move towards peace in Manipur, setting an example for other groups to follow and strengthening efforts to restore normalcy in the state.