Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network) The Manipur Governor’s appeal for the voluntary surrender of looted and illegally held weapons has seen a promising response, marking a significant step toward restoring peace and stability in the state. Across both the Valley and Hill districts, youth volunteers, community leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and women’s organizations have played a vital role in facilitating the surrender process.
As the seven-day deadline for voluntary surrender concluded, a total of 307 weapons were handed over. Of these, 246 weapons were surrendered by members of Arambai Tenggol at the 1st Manipur Rifles Campus, while 61 were submitted by other village volunteer forces from both the Valley and Hill districts at various locations.
Following the surrender function at the 1st Manipur Rifles Campus—an event restricted to media—CMP Commissioner Munindro Mangang of Arambai Tenggol briefed journalists, explaining that their decision to surrender arms was based on key assurances provided by the Governor during their meeting two days prior. These assurances included the protection of Manipur’s territorial integrity with no separate administration within the state, enhanced security measures by central and state forces to safeguard lives and properties—particularly in foothill areas—a general amnesty for village volunteers and Arambai Tenggol members, and the expedited implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), among others.
While the Arambai Tenggol spokesperson reiterated their commitment to protecting their community in the event of future attacks, the voluntary surrender of arms is a crucial step toward fostering peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law in Manipur.
Manipur has been grappling with intense ethnic strife since May 3, 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The conflict, which has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people, has left a trail of destruction and deepened ethnic divisions across the state.
The violence was triggered by longstanding tensions between the two communities, exacerbated by grievances over land rights, political representation, and allegations of demographic manipulation and narcoterrorism. The Kuki-Zo community, concentrated in the Hill districts, opposed the Manipur High Court’s directive recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community, fearing it would alter the existing tribal land protections. In response, the warring Kuki-Zo leaders escalated their demand for a separate administration.
Meanwhile, the Meitei community, primarily based in the Valley, expressed growing concerns over alleged illegal immigration, which they perceived as a demographic threat to the indigenous population. They also accused narcoterrorist groups of exploiting the situation to establish Manipur as a haven for poppy cultivation.
Both communities cite security concerns, historical injustices, and marginalization as driving forces behind the conflict. While the surrender of arms marks a crucial step toward de-escalation, the path to lasting peace in Manipur requires sustained dialogue, trust-building measures, and a balanced, inclusive approach that addresses the grievances of all communities.
