Security forces recover 114 weapons across Manipur after voluntary surrender period expires

Intelligence-based operations were launched in the hill and valley districts across the strife-torn state.

In a series of operations, security forces have recovered 114 weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, and ammunition across Manipur after the expiry of a two-week period for voluntarily surrendering looted and illegally held arms in the ethnic strife-torn state, an official statement said on Saturday.

Security personnel display the arms and ammunition surrendered by the public from Churachandpur, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur. (PTI)

Intelligence-based operations were launched in the hill and valley districts of Bishnupur, Senapati, Thoubal, Jiribam, Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Imphal East and Imphal West.

Altogether 114 weapons, IEDs, grenades, ammunition, and war-like stores were recovered during these operations, an army statement said.

People handed over to the security forces more than 1,000 arms along with ammunition during the two-week provided to them for voluntarily surrendering looted and illegally held weapons in Manipur, a police officer said on Friday, a day after the deadline ended.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had on February 20 urged warring groups to voluntarily surrender weapons robbed from security forces and other illegally held arms within seven days. He extended the deadline till 4 PM on March 6, following demands by people from both hill and valley areas for additional time.