Arambai Tenggol, a key Meitei group in Manipur, surrendered 246 weapons on last day as 'deadline' to return illegal and looted arms ends

Key Meitei group surrenders 246 weapons in Manipur on last day of deadline

Arambai Tenggol, a key Meitei group in Manipur, surrendered 246 weapons as the state's seven-day deadline to return illegal and looted arms and ammunition is set to end today.  

The Arambai Tenggol, a post-2023 phenomenon, on Thursday (Feb 27) voluntarily surrendered as many as 246 weapons to security forces as the official deadline to return arms and ammunition set by Governor Ajay Bhalla is set to end today.

According to an official police press note, a total of 307 weapons were surrendered across the violence-hit state on the final day of the deadline.

Among them, 246 weapons were handed over by the Arambai Tenggol group at the 1st Manipur Rifles campus, while 61 were surrendered at various locations across both the valley and hill districts.

A police statement said: "The Hon'ble Governor's request for the surrender of looted and illegally held weapons and ammunition has yielded a positive response. 

In both Valley and Hills districts, various groups, including youth volunteers, community leaders, CSOs and women organisations, have played a significant role in handing over/ surrender of the illegally held weapons and ammunition."

The statement said -- Total No. of weapons surrendered on Thursday (Feb 27) 

-- 307

-- No. of weapons surrendered at 1 Manipur Rifle Campus

246 -- No. of weapons surrendered at other places in both hills and valley districts

--- 61 -- such voluntary surrender of weapons will significantly help in restoring peace, communal harmony and lawfulness in the state of Manipur.

"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 to the nearest police station/outposts and any security force camps. 

Community leaders, CSOs and women organisations are requested to continue to facilitate the surrender of such weapons.

"During this period, no punitive action will be taken against the individuals who voluntarily surrender weapons. However, any person found in possession of illegal or looted arms after the deadline will face appropriate legal action as per the law."

The police statement also said - "This is a last and crucial opportunity for everyone to contribute to peace, communal harmony, safeguarding the future of our youths and security of our society. 

"We again request all those still in possession of such weapons to avail themselves of this final chance to surrender them without any fear of prosecution within the given period. Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure future of Manipur. Together we can," it stated. 

Following the surrender of weapons, Arambai Tenggol Commissioner Saikhom Munindro Mangang addressed the media, confirming that the group's decision was influenced by key assurances provided by Governor Bhalla.

These assurances included complete eradication of illegal opium poppy cultivation across the state, implementation of border fencing to enhance security, establishing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year, ensuring that Kuki militants do not launch further attacks, and safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur.

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