Ukhrul, Feb 27: Amid tight security arrangements, members of the armed group Arambai Tenggol arrived at the 1st Manipur Rifles Complex in Imphal to hand over their weapons. The move is seen as a response to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s directive urging the surrender of illegal arms within seven days to the youths of Manipur state, roiled in conflict since May 3, 2023.
Must read | Surrender Illegal Arms Within 7 Days: Manipur Guv
The governor on February 20 had said that the people of Manipur, both from the valley and the hills have endured immense hardships over the past 20 months due to a series of unfortunate incidents that disrupted peace and communal harmony. He urged all communities to work towards restoring normalcy and ensuring peace in the state, warning of punitive action against those failing to comply within the stipulated timeframe.
A viral social media post had claimed that the Arambai Tenggol group would surrender weapons seized from various police stations during the Manipur unrest. The post suggested that the handover would take place around 3 PM on Thursday — the last day of the ultimatum — in the presence of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
As the surrender process unfolds, reports confirm that media personnel have been denied entry into the complex, leaving the specifics of the event largely undisclosed to the press.
Further details are awaited.
Related | Weapons Surrender Deadline: 307 Surrendered
It may be mentioned that the Arambai Tenggol had met with the Governor of Manipur Tuesday where it submitted a memorandum on behalf of the people of Manipur, addressing their grievances. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Arambai Tenggol Public Relations Officer (PRO) Robin Mangam Khwairakpam beseeched the Governor to exert pressure upon the concerned authority as well as the Government of India to resolve the conflict at the earliest.
The PRO also added that, “An understanding was established, but the fine details will be announced to the public soon,” on Tuesday.
Related | COCOMI urges for Fair Arms Recovery, Calls for Transparency and Security in Manipur
In this regard, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had on Tuesday, responding to the Governor’s call to surrender arms, acknowledged the surrender of looted weapons as a necessary legal step but emphasized the circumstances that led local youth to take up arms. In a statement then, COCOMI blamed the incompetence of security forces for failing to protect vulnerable villages during the crisis. The prominent Meetei/Meitei body had also raised concerns over the ongoing terror threat, stating that armed Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups continue to operate in Manipur’s hill areas under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, which they claim allows them to act with impunity.
Also read | AMBA Urges Governor to Extend Arm Surrender Deadline