Will recover weapons if VVs do not surrender: CS
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 23 2025: Chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has cautioned that if the village volunteers (Ws) on both sides do not surrender their weapons within the seven-day timeframe stipulated by the Governor, then the authorities would be "recovering" the weapons.

PK Singh also stated the seven-day time given for voluntarily surrendering looted and illegally held weapons is enough if one wants to give up arms.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had on February 20 urged the people of the state to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, assuring no punitive action would be initiated against those giving up arms during this period.

"The seven-day period is good enough.

If one decides to give up arms, it can be done in a day.

After that (period) , we will go and take such weapons from them," PK Singh responded when queried by reporters.

"Weapons should not be at the hands of the public.

That is a dangerous situation.

Weapons at the hands of those who are not authorised to use it is a dangerous situation.

Looted weapons or any other weapons pose a threat to the society.

It's first and foremost duty to recover illegal firearms", he said.

On Sunday, the office of Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East district distributed Mobility Support (Bicycles) to internally displaced students and looms with accessories to internally displaced women weavers of the district, in a bid to encourage and support the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) seeking refuge in various relief camps.

The distribution programme, organised under the CSR initiative of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, and National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Ministry of Textiles, was held at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat.

Responding to queries on the sidelines of the programme, CS Prashant Kumar Singh, who attended the same as chief guest, cautioned that if the weapons are not surrendered within one week, then the government would search and recover the weapons.

He continued that if the illegal weapons are recovered fast, then the state would soon be able to return to normalcy.

Emphasising the need to restore the trust between the two sides, the CS said that what the people truly want is peace.

He informed that the deployment of security forces along the national highways is almost complete and would soon be open for normal public transportation.

This is the next step taken up after the move to recover illegal weapons, as possession of firearms without permission is not only against the law but also a huge threat to public security, maintained the chief secretary.

He then said that he would invite the media when he travels along the roads leading to Silchar and Dimapur.

The chief secretary asserted that opening the highways, bringing normalcy and some kind of confidence building on both sides are important.

"Let people understand the problems.

Everyone wants (the turmoil) to be over.

There is a lot of hope in society.

Everybody says it's time to bring peace".

Replying to another question from the media, Prashant Kumar, acknowledged the hardships faced by the IDPs, who have been enduring the on-going conflict for nearly two years, with lack of basic amenities.

However, there is need to assess how many people would be able to return to their homes.

He asserted that on-going initiatives would be made more efficient and transparent to provide better support for the IDPs, while informing that priority is on housing the IDPs with some under construction and other sanctioned.

The CS then commended the officers, civil officers, staff of DC Imphal East and police personnel for their exceptional dedication and efforts beyond the call of duty while expressing admiration for the courage and resilience of those displaced from their homes in enduring the situation.

Noting delay in releasing funds and assistance in the past, he assured timely delivery henceforth and all-out support from the government.

He further wished for a safer, free from fear and self-reliant future for the displaced families, while appreciating Power Grid and Weavers Service Centre for their assistance through the CSR initiative.

Speaking at the event, DC Khumanthem Diana Devi informed that the district currently hosts 3,500 IDPs across 17 relief camps with 400 units of pre-fabricated houses accommodating 1,394 IDPs from 359 families.

She informed that over 293 families have returned to their villages with the improvement of law and order situation.

She further highlighted the financial assistance provided to IDPs under the Permanent Housing Scheme of the Government of Manipur and emphasised that the distribution programme is aimed at easing the transportation costs of the students and promote> sustainable livelihoods for the IDP families.

She then hoped for restoration of normalcy in the district and the state as a whole in the near future, given the rigorous initiatives of the government under the leadership of the chief secretary.

Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar, Power Grid, Shillong chief general manager MS Dutt, Weavers Service Centre deputy director Priyadarshi Daripa, Imphal East SP Rakesh Balwal, additional deputy commissioner N Johnson Meetei, and IDPs from various relief camps in the district were present at the programme.

A total of 146 looms with accessories, provided by Weavers Service Centre under the National Handloom Development Programme, Ministry of Textiles, were distributed to internally the displaced women weavers.

Additionally, on the occasion, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited provided 300 bicycles for displaced students and 150 looms with accessories for displaced women weavers of the district.

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