Arms recovered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2025: After Kuki civil bodies allowed armed men to openly take part in a public event at Saikul yesterday, the district police have registered a case and recovered several arms.

After President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 last, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had sent a strong warning to all to surrender all illegal arms by March 6 .

Shockingly, this strong warning of the Governor of the State under President's Rule was ridiculed yesterday at Saikul when a group of well armed men performed a "gun salute" in full public view and reportedly in presence of security personnel.

The armed men were taking part in an event held to mark 2 years of the Manipur conflict.

In several social media videos, which are yet to be verified, armed men could be seen walking into an event in front of personnel suspected to be State police.

"Separation Day"--was observed yesterday all across Kuki areas in Kangpokpi under the aegis of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) .

In stark contrast to the armed event in Kangpokpi, Meitei civil organisations in the valley observed peaceful public conventions and paid floral tributes to people killed in the conflict since May 3, 2023 .

With strict security measures and metal detectors installed, the events were peaceful and without arms in the valley.

Significantly, the gun salute incident occurred at a time when the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has been urging the Governor to take strict actions against armed Kuki militants.

COCOMI has been, for some time, claiming that armed Kukis have not laid down their arms completely.

Meanwhile, Manipur Police Control Room, in a press release, said an FIR has been registered in connection with the gun salute incident at Saikul yesterday.

It said local leaders and elders were summoned to the police station, and raids have been conducted at different areas to arrest the miscreants.

In connection with the case, police have seized 5 Single Barrel Guns and camouflage uniforms, said the police.

"Raid will continue to arrest the miscreants and seize the other guns.

Organizers of the programme will be dealt [with] as per law," said the police.

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