AT hands over 246 firearms as surrender deadline ends
Weapons surrendered following assurance from Governor: W Munindro
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 27 2025: In what followed a recent meeting between leaders of Arambai Tenggol and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the group on Thursday handed over as many as 246 weapons including mortar guns along with large number of ammunition to the government.

The mass surrender of arms and ammunition took place at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground on Thursday afternoon.

The arms and ammunition were brought in a fleet of pickup trucks by a team of AT volunteers led by AT GHQ Corps of Military Police commissioner Waikhom Munindro.

Commanders of several AT units were also among the members who took part in the weapon surrender programme.

AT hands over 246 firearms as surrender deadline ends

The weapons and other military gears includes arms, ammunition, mortar guns, explosive materials, bulletproof vests, military boots, combat uniforms and helmets among others.

Members of different Meira Paibi Lups accompanied the AT team to ensure that no unwanted incidents happened on the way.

The arm surrender programme was attended by members of different Meira Paibi Lups, Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta, 1st MR commandant K Meghachandra and SP CID (SB) RK Manbindu.

However, the Governor was not present at the event, and media access to the MR campus was restricted, with security blocking entry at the gate.

The counting of the surrendered arms, ammunition, and tactical gear continued till late evening.

Upon exiting the 1st MR camp, Waikhom Munindro said they deposited the weapons following the meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 25, during which certain points were agreed upon.

He also confirmed that the Governor was not present at the event on Thursday.

He further said that they deposited 241 weapons to the government following assurances from the Central government and the Governor.

The assurances include that Separate Administration will not be given to Chin-Kuki-Zo illegal immigrants.

It was also agreed that village volunteers, particularly Arambai Tenggol, will cooperate with the police in maintaining peace, law and order; and indigenous Manipuris, mainly Meeteis residing in peripheral areas near Chin-Kuki-Zo dominated regions, would be provided with adequate security from Central forces as well as state police.

AT hands over 246 firearms as surrender deadline ends

It was further assured that should there be further attacks from the Chin-Kuki-Zo communities, Arambai Tenggol would be permitted to retaliate without government interference; village volunteers, including AT members would be granted general amnesty; there would be no interference in the movement of Arambai Tenggol members in uniform, allowing them to continue their work as before.

Earlier, during the meeting with the Governor, AT submitted a memorandum with demands such as border fencing, implementation of NRC with 1951 as the base year, and the deportation of all illegal immigrants to their native places.

It also called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and stringent action against militants violating the agreement.

Other demands include the complete destruction of poppy plantations, withdrawal of ST status from illegal immigrants, and no arrest or legal action against Village Volunteers, including Arambai Tenggol, by any commission, tribunal, or court.

The memorandum also sought the amendment of the MLR&LR Act 1960 for uniform implementation in both hill and valley areas and the reinstatement of ST status for Meitei/Meetei.

Earlier, NDTV quoted a top central force officer as saying on phone from Imphal on February 20 on condition of anonymity: "What will be challenging, not that it can't be done, is for the joint security forces under the President's rule to guarantee protection from attacks by sneaky militants from either side on Meetei and Kuki civilians and volunteers who have deposited looted firearms.

It does not matter whether the militants are under a ceasefire.

Anyone who tries to sabotage the road to peace will regret it".

NDTV also quoted a senior police officer, who supervised Thursday's arm surrender of Arambai Tenggol as saying: "Trust is already low between the two communities.

The last thing anybody, Meitei or Kuki, wants is being attacked after they have deposited firearms.

Civil society organisations on both sides should discourage their young people from arming themselves and trust the forces that they will act against banned militant groups and those who violate ceasefire rules".

Civil society organisations from both the Kuki and Meetei communities have urged the Centre to enforce simultaneous disarmament, citing deep mutual distrust.