Meitei group puts ‘conditions’ for giving up arms before Governor

The meeting comes after Governor Bhalla on February 20 set a “deadline” of seven days for surrender of looted and illegally held arms by members of both warring communities. He said “strict action” will be taken for possessing such weapons after this period.

Speaking to the media later, Mangang said the meeting was “positive” and that “normalcy would soon return.”

He said the Governor requested them to give up arms but that “we have also placed our terms and conditions.” “If our terms are fulfilled, we will give them up and if not, we will see,” he said.

The group also submitted a ‘memorandum’  to the Governor. This includes the demand that there be “no arrest or legal action against village volunteers including Arambai Tenggol by any commission, tribunal, court, etc”. The group has been accused by Kuki-Zo groups of being at the forefront of violent attacks against their community.