Surrender illegal weapons within 15 days: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 22 2023:
All illegal weapons held by any person or groups across the state should be surrendered forthwith within a period of 15 days with immediate effect, declared chief minister N Biren.
In a statement, CM N Biren conveyed that the state government is willing to take a considerate view for the persons submitting such illegal weapons within the specified period.
At the end of the 15 days state and central security forces will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law, he cautioned.
Noting that there have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants/groups using illegal weapons, the CM emphasised this is a serious matter and the state government will take strong action against such miscreants/groups in any part of the state.
He also appealed to the people of Manipur to cooperate with both the central and state governments in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
The chief minister's appeal was preceded by the government directing the DGP to recover the arms and ammunition, looted during the ethnic conflict from the armouries of security forces and the Churachandpur gun shop.
The government issued the directive following the recommendations of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
According to reports, during the ethnic riots, which broke out on May 3, over 4000 different types of sophisticated arms and lakhs of ammunition were looted from the police stations and police outposts by mobs, attackers and militants.
Mention may be made that Inspector General of Police, Operations, IK Muivah had last week said that of the weapons that had been "lost", 1,359 firearms and 15,050 various types of ammunition were recovered.
It is also pertinent to add here that commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh in a "most urgent" letter to the DGP, Deputy Commissioners of all 16 districts, Secretaries of Rural Development, Education and Health Departments directed to take immediate necessary actions on the recommendations of the rights panel.
After visiting various districts and relief camps including the worst violence-hit district Churachandpur, the MHRC headed by its Chairperson Justice Utpalendu Bikas Saha (retired) earlier this month in a letter to Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi made six-point recommendations.
It recommended measures to protect the land and residences in the villages and colonies where the displaced persons from both communities used to reside so that the land owners may re-settle again when they return, or when the government makes arrangements for their resettlement.
The commission's other recommendations include, providing training and facilities to the internally displaced persons who are staying at various relief camps for self-employment and they may also be engaged in the MGNREGA scheme, providing essential commodities for their basic needs, including study materials to the displaced children and students (as already directed by the Supreme Court).
The rights panel asked the government to ensure doctors' visit the relief camps at least once a week.
Besides the indigenous people of Manipur, the MHRC is also looking after the human rights of Myanmarese, lodged in the detention centre in the northeastern state, which shares around 400 km of un-fenced border with Myanmar.
On the intervention of the MHRC, the state government recently deputed additional doctors in the foreigners' detention centre in Imphal.
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