130 weapons deposited in 'dropbox', search Ops continue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 10 2023: A drop box for returning weapons snatched from securi-ty forces set up at the home of a BJP legislator from Imphal East has become a popular attraction with local youth, who have taken advantage of the anonymous facility to deposit 130 weapons including sophisticated automatic rifles.

A large poster at a covered shed outside the home of L Susindro Meitei, who is currently a Minis-ter in the Manipur government, says "Please drop your snatched weapons here" both in English and Meitei language.

A tagline below this adds "feel free to do so", an indication that questions will not be asked how the weapons were in the possession of those who drop by in the first place.

A few weapons including a couple of automatic rifles and live ammu-nition belts were actually present in the box when a PTI reporter went there this morning.

Susindro who was touring his constituency area persuading young villagers to join in the peace process by depositing their weapons, later told PTI over the phone that he had set up the facility as, "Many a time those who come to surrender arms hesitate out of fear of the police ...that's why this anonymous box" .

He said that some 130 weapons have been received so far since it was set up a few days ago.

"The keys to the box are kept with the police and they can come anytime to pick up the weapons," the MLA added.

Large numbers of weapons were looted from police stations in early May when ethnic violence broke out in the state of Manipur.

Since then both Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have appealed to people to surrender their weapons.

Army and para - military forces in collaboration with state police have been carrying out combing operations to defang communities and bring back peace here.

At least 35 weapons and warlike stores were recovered during joint combing operations by security forces on Friday, an official said.

At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago.

A total of 37,450 people are cur-rently sheltered in 272 relief camps after clashes first broke out on May 3.Meanwhile, in continuation of conduct of joint combing operation by state and central forces to re-cover arms and ammunition looted from security posts, searches were carried out in various parts of the state on Saturday in the presence of magistrates, said PRO IGAR(S), adding that in the last 24 hours, total of 22 weapons mostly auto-matic were recovered.

(With inputs from PTI) .

Comment