Over 1,200 firearms recovered in Manipur in five months amid intensified security operations

Imphal, Aug 12 (IANS) Over 1,200 firearms, including around 600 weapons looted from government armouries during the ethnic violence in Manipur, have been recovered in the past five months, officials said on Wednesday.

A senior official said that security forces, comprising the army, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Manipur Police, have continued extensive counter-insurgency and search operations, along with area domination exercises, in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas across the state.

The official said that the government has also strengthened anti-narcotics operations, leading to the registration of 72 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the arrest of 117 drug peddlers, besides the seizure of large quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances during the past five months.

Highlighting the government’s peace initiatives, he said that since assuming office on February 4, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has embarked on an unprecedented and sustained peace outreach programme across the state, covering both valley and hill regions.

“The Chief Minister’s efforts have been grounded in a fundamental conviction that sustainable peace can be attained solely through sustained dialogue, the cultivation of mutual trust and a shared commitment to reconciliation,” the official said.

According to the official, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh’s peace initiative has been most visible through his numerous visits to different districts affected by ethnic conflict and distrust. “These visits were not merely administrative but served as powerful gestures of solidarity and bridge-building,” he noted.

Khemchand Singh’s commitment to peace was reflected in his visit to Churachandpur, inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribals, which marked the first time a Chief Minister had travelled to the district since the ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023. He attended the funeral of former MLA Vungzagin Valte, a veteran tribal leader, in Churachandpur, describing it as a personal gesture of respect and a “great honour.” The visit was seen as a significant step towards healing old wounds and re-establishing a connection with the district, the official maintained.

In tribal-dominated Ukhrul district, the Chief Minister visited villages such as Thawal Kuki and Sharkaphung to directly address the trust deficit between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. He appealed to both communities to choose the path of peace and reconciliation.

The peace efforts have also shown tangible results in Jiribam district, which the Chief Minister visited twice, on February 11 and April 4. Jiribam, which adjoins southern Assam, created history by becoming the first district in Manipur where people from all communities sat together as part of efforts to restore peace after three years of unrest.

Members of the Meitei, Kuki, Paite, and Hmar communities sat together, agreed to work towards peace and shared a joint meal.

In July, Khemchand Singh visited the Naga-inhabited Senapati district and met leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs), seeking their support for restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

During his recent visit to Kangpokpi, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the local MLA declared the immediate reopening of all National Highways for free movement of people from all communities and the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur (Nagaland) inter-state bus service.

The move was seen as a direct step towards restoring freedom of movement and normalcy, with the Chief Minister stating that the development of Manipur would remain incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi, a district inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal people.

The official said that through the sustained efforts of the central and state security forces, the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Khemchand Singh successfully facilitated the surrender of 46 Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militants in July. The surrendered extremists laid down their arms and chose to rejoin the mainstream in pursuit of peace and prosperity in the state.

The official said that on many occasions, the Chief Minister held meetings with various community leaders, CSOs and other stakeholders to work towards finding a lasting solution while restoring peace and normalcy. In a significant breakthrough, the Chief Minister held a crucial meeting with the Kuki-Zo Council in Guwahati in March, the official stated.

–IANS

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