If we retrieve more than 6000 !

Free Thinker *

Arms surrendered after Governor's appeal on February 22 2025 :: Pix - Chronicle News

The offer made by His Excellency the Governor of Manipur is quite reasonable; within 7 days all the weapons must be surrendered which were taken away from the Police stations for self defense. No action shall be taken against those who bring back the weapons. This is an innocuous offer quite democratic and humane. But the pertinent question is, will they listen to this earnest appeal ?

Within this stipulated 7 days if the village volunteers or village defenders do surrender the weapons both in the hills and valley - normalcy will come back by and large. If they don't as indicated by the authority the weapon holders or keepers will be in trouble. They have to face the music.

There will be widespread combing operations in every nook and corner of the State. Those who are caught or red handed with any obnoxious objects including ammunition they will be booked accordingly under the relevant sections of the new laws.

Critics are of the opinion that they don't think the weapons taken away from the Government custody will come back as requested by the Governor. Those people who are empowered by these guns may not like to leave the guns so easily. They feel so enamored by the weapons they carry. They feel so emboldened. They feel that they are respected by one and sundry because of their position with arms. So they may not give away the weapons just like that.

At the same time they are considered by many as the protector of their villages or settlements - earning respect from the people. So, they may try to hide the weapons somewhere for any future exigencies.

The disarmament process must go on simultaneously in the hills as well as in the valley. If one militia camp is dismantled in the valley, one such camp must be closed in the hills. As long as the village volunteers or militias are ready to cooperate, there should not be any problem. If they are surrendering the weapons – the peace process will remain smooth and calm.

No one is going to be arrested or booked if they surrender the weapons. This is a kind of general amnesty. Our youths and volunteers both in the hills and valley who are holding the guns must submit the weapons to the nearest police station. It is clearly stated that no one will be punished for bringing back the weapons. Let us have faith in the new dispensation. Otherwise how long we remain militarized and violent ?

The only apprehension on the part of the villagers is that if the village defenders or volunteers are disarmed and withdrawn who are going to defend the villages particularly those villages which are at the periphery and fringes. This fear is applicable to both the sides.

Therefore it is extremely crucial to restore the confidence of the common villagers. The official forces should be there to protect them. It is their bounden duty to restore people's sense of security.

Shri RK Nimai (IAS) former Secretary to the Governors of Manipur maintained that PR is necessary for sometime to redeem normalcy in the State. Since we have an experienced hand at the helm of affairs we can trust that sooner or later he will restore normalcy. The basic advantage of our man in Raj Bhawan is that he can directly deal/ talk with any of the competent authorities in the security hierarchy of the country.

The role of Emas or womenfolk is extremely critical. On both sides these days’ women are playing a unique role to safeguard their brethren or community. Meitei women have been playing a significant role in fighting the menace of drugs and alcohol in the society.

Nowadays they are active in defending the village volunteers or militia. This is equally true for the Kuki-Zo community. The Security Forces are quite often made redundant - unable to act by these women.

Sometimes the Security Forces become frustrated as they are compelled not to perform their duties. It is high time to understand that Security Forces doing their duties is for common good. They are performing their National duties without any bias - we must believe it.

In a sarcastic mood a media person said Bhalla ji was dealing with all these things when he was in the North Block. After all he was the Home Secretary then. Now as Governor, he is trying his level best to restore normalcy in the State. He could have done the same earlier too.

Perhaps there might be political compulsions and he was just following the instructions only. Nevertheless now as Governor of the State of Manipur, he has begun to see everything himself particularly the law and order aspect. PR means Governor's rule; if the rule of law has to be restored Governor’s rule must continue for some time.

Hypothetically if the incumbent authority can redeem more number of weapons than the expected figure of 6000 (2000 already recovered) what will be the reaction ? And possibility of recovering more sophisticated foreign made weapons is also not ruled out.

Just pondering !