In largest such surrender, Manipur ethnic militia turns in huge cache of looted weapons

On February 20, the Governor appealed to people of all communities to surrender such weapons to their nearest security establishments within seven days, stating that no punitive action would be taken. However, he said that “strict action” would be taken for possessing such weapons after this period ends.

Around 6,000 weapons have been looted from state armouries during the conflict, which began in May 2023. Twenty-one months later, there are still sporadic attempts to seize weapons from these armouries. According to the last update by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh in September 2024, 1,200 of the looted weapons had been recovered in operations by security forces, while the rest continue to be in circulation.

A convoy of security personnel and members of Arambai Tenggol arrived at 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion Ground to hand over looted and illegally held arms and ammunition to security officials, in Imphal on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

According to the number cited by the Manipur police, apart from the surrender of 246 weapons in the 1st MR, another 61 weapons had been surrendered in other parts of the state on Thursday. According to an Army official, until Thursday afternoon and before the surrender of weapons by the Arambai Tenggol, around 110 weapons had been surrendered in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Pherzawl, and Jiribam since February 20 in combined actions where the Army was present, and around 40 in similar circumstances in the Valley. The official added that there would be other incidents of people surrendering weapons directly to the police.

“Such voluntary surrender of weapons will significantly help in restoring peace, communal harmony and lawfulness in the state. As the seven-day period granted for voluntary surrender is set to conclude today, all concerned individuals, especially the youths, are strongly requested to come forward and surrender any looted or illegally held arms… Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure future of Manipur,” read a statement by the Manipur police on Thursday evening.

This call for the return of weapons is the first major step taken by the Governor after the resignation of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the subsequent imposition of President’s Rule in the state. Biren Singh himself had issued appeals for the return of looted weapons several times, as had Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the state a month after the violence started in 2023, but this is the first time that such an appeal has yielded results.

This mass surrender of weapons by the group came two days after its members met Governor Bhalla in Raj Bhawan and is the largest such surrender of illegally held weapons so far in the strife-torn state. (Photo Credit: 1st Manipur Rifles Battalionl)

Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo groups ITLF and COTU issued a joint statement dismissing the mass surrender of weapons by Arambai Tenggol, calling it a move to “garner sympathy and legitimacy” and condemning the Governor’s meeting with them.

“The submission of 300 looted arms by Arambai Tenggol today is a mere gesture, accounting for only 5% of the 6,000 looted arms from the Imphal valley. This move is a strategic attempt to improve their public image, particularly after their meeting with the Governor of Manipur. It is a tactical move to garner sympathy and legitimacy… Arambai Tenggol is responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the Kuki-Zo, which involves the killing of more than 230 Kuki-Zo, forced displacement of over 40,000 Kuki-Zo, burning of more than 7,000 houses and 360 places of worship… The Governor’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol sends a disturbing message that the state is willing to negotiate with perpetrators of violence while ignoring the cries of their victims. This is a clear betrayal of justice and a direct insult to the survivors of ethnic violence,” reads their statement.