Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has appealed to members of all communities to surrender looted police weapons and illegally held arms at the nearest police station within seven days.
The statement, released on Thursday (February 20), comes against the backdrop of over 21 months of conflict that has left Manipur in turmoil, affecting communities both in the Imphal valley and the surrounding hills.
He said if the weapons were not surrendered, strict action would follow for possession of arms.
Urging all communities in the Valley and Hills to voluntarily come forward and surrender looted and illegally held weapons, Ajay Bhalla said that returning these weapons would be a powerful gesture towards ensuring peace.
He also assured that no punitive action would be initiated if such weapons were returned within the stipulated time. “Thereafter, strict action will be taken for possession of such weapons,” said the Governor.
On February 9, Biren Singh resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence. On February 13, the Union government imposed President’s Rule in Manipur citing the deteriorating law and order situation.
Bhalla acknowledged the hardships faced by the people and called upon all communities to cooperate in bringing an end to hostilities.
“In the greater interest of restoring normalcy, so that people can return to their normal day-to-day activities, all communities in the State must come forward to ensure the cessation of hostilities and maintenance of peace & order in the society,” Bhalla said.
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The governor appealed to the youth, urging them to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons and ammunition to the nearest police station, outpost or security camp within seven days from the date of the announcement.
The ongoing violence in Manipur has claimed over 250 lives, displaced more than 60,000 people, and caused destruction of property.
