Arms surrendered after Governor's appeal, two UG cadres nabbed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 22 2025: Subsequent to the appeal made by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to surrender arms, the last couple of days saw surrendering of arms in different parts of the state, while search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

In response to the appeal made by Governor on February 20, urging individuals to surrender illegal arms and ammunition, several weapons and related items were handed over to the authorities.

On Friday, one .303 rifle with magazine and 13 ammunition, four BP vests, five BP plates and four helmets were surrendered to Kakching SP .

Earlier, in the morning, Assam Rifles raided an Arambai Tenggol unit in Kakching district and apprehended 26 members.

Arms surrendered after Governor's appeal, two UG cadres nabbed

Later they were released in two phases through the district police after the incident triggered widespread protest in different parts of the valley districts.

Meanwhile, a totally different approach was seen in Churachandpur district on Saturday as joint team of state and central security forces along with intelligence agencies and civil administration engaged with community leaders persuading them to facilitate surrender of arms.

"Assam Rifles along with police, CRPF, state intelligence agencies and state administration engaged with local Zomi and Kuki community leaders, addressed their security concerns, provided assurances of safety, and emphasised the positive impact of the region's de-weaponisation," a statement by PRO, IGAR (S) said.

"The engagement proved fruitful as the community leaders volunteered to surrender a huge quantity of arms and ammunition as a stepping stone in the peace process which has been the central government's stance from the start," it continued.

"An all rounded effort was planned meticulously by joint forces to include Assam Rifles, police, state civil administration, CRPF and state intelligence agencies will result to motivate other groups as well to further the peace process thus inspiring and motivating youth to surrender arms and work towards a better future for overall development of the region there by enabling the peace process to bring halt to the ongoing conflict," the statement added.

In Churachandpur, one each of M-16 rifle, 7.62 mm SLR, 9mm carbine machine gun, 51mm mortar, two each of AK rifles, M-79 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), single barrel, three each of INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, 64 gelatine sticks, ten 60 mm pompi (improvised mortar) ammunition, 17 AK ammunition and three 9mm calibre ammunition were surrendered to 27 AR sector in Churachandpur on Saturday.

One looted tear gas gun was handed over to G Saparmeina police station officer in-charge in Kangpokpi district on Saturday.

On the other hand, security forces recovered one .303 rifle with magazine, one CMG with magazine, 10 each of .303 ammunition and CMG from Ibudhou Koubru Laibung area in Imphal West district; one each of 22 kg IED, 7kg IED, 6kg IED and 4 kg IED.

Numerous arms and ammunition recovered by security forces from Kakching Wairi area including one each of 5.56mm INSAS rifle, 5.6mm calibre rifle, 12 bore rifle, 12 bore shotgun, 9mm pistol, air pistol, 12 bore water cannon, 36 hand grenade, 9mm pistol magazine (made in China), bipod (small), bayonet, helmet, Khukri, CPU, 45 Caliber ammunition, four 12 bore rifles (single barrel), 27 9mm ammunition, 92 7.62mm AK 47 ammunition, 40 7.62mm CTN, 45 5.56mm INSAS ammunition, 13 INSAS 20 KF (small), 65 .303 rifle ammunition, 50 12 bore cartridge, two 5.56 INSAS empty magazine, two .303 rifle telescope sight, three 9mm FCC, five 303 bore FCC, four 7.62 mm CTN, two 7.62 mm AK FCC, four 5.56 mm INSAS FCC, two tear smoke shell, 13 Motorola set (small size), nine Motorola charging adapter, 28 BP jackets, 38 BP plates and Rs 2,50,000 were handed over to Kakching police station.

Meanwhile, according to a release issued by Manipur police control room, police arrested two active members of G5 from Achanbigei Maning Leikai community hall under Heingang police station on Friday.

The captives Ningthoujam Yamba Singh (43) and Usham Netaji Singh (35) are involved in extortion from sand carrying trucks in Sekmai, Irilbung and Patsoi area.

A four-wheeler, three mobile handsets, two wallets with Rs 4,230, one driving license, one aadhar card and one side bag were seized from them.

Meanwhile, one carbine gun, six shells of 2-inch mortar, 1,200 live rounds of 5.56 calibre and 2,200 live rounds of .22 calibre were also surrendered at Sagolmang police station, Imphal East district on Saturday.