Ethnic Divides Stall Arms Surrender: Meitei and Kuki groups demandED security guarantees, mutual disarmament, and political assurances before complying with the Governor’s ultimatum.
Pls rewrite-Manipur’s Disarmament Drive Yields Mixed Results Amid Deep-Rooted Divides
Manipur’s deadline for surrendering looted weapons ended with an unusual sight in Imphal—a convoy of vehicles belonging to the radical armed group Arambai Tenggol, loaded with firearms of varying sizes, making its way to the 1st Manipur Rifles (MR) complex. The group turned in 246 weapons, marking the largest single surrender of illegally held arms in the conflict-ridden state so far. However, this figure remains negligible compared to the estimated 6,000 weapons looted from state armories since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023.
This mass surrender came just two days after Arambai Tenggol members met with Governor Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. However, despite this, the total number of surrendered weapons remained negligible compared to the estimated 6,000 firearms looted from government armories following the eruption of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023.
A Lukewarm Response to the Governor’s Amnesty Call
On February 20, Governor Bhalla had issued an appeal urging individuals from all communities to voluntarily return looted weapons within seven days, assuring that no punitive action would be taken against those who complied. However, he also warned that stringent action would follow against those found in possession of illegal arms after the deadline expired.
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According to Manipur Police, in addition to the 246 weapons surrendered by Arambai Tenggol, another 61 weapons were turned in at various locations across the state on Thursday. An Army official confirmed that, prior to the Arambai Tenggol’s surrender, approximately 110 weapons had been surrendered in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl, and Jiribam, while around 40 were surrendered in the Valley.
The security forces had previously managed to recover only 1,200 looted weapons through operations, as per a September 2024 update by Manipur’s Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh. This means that the vast majority of stolen arms—over 4,500—remain in circulation, raising concerns about continued violence.
In a statement on Thu
Arambai Tenggol cadres began to surrender all arms looted from #Manipur Police Armoury & pledged to leave extremism, separatism and join mainstream. pic.twitter.com/58G1gBOLnO
— Subcontinental Defender 🛃 (@Anti_Separatist) February 27, 2025
rsday evening, Manipur Police underscored the importance of disarmament in restoring peace and stability: “Such voluntary surrender of weapons will significantly help in restoring peace, communal harmony, and lawfulness in the state. As the seven-day period granted for voluntary surrender concludes today, all concerned individuals, especially the youth, are strongly urged to come forward and surrender any looted or illegally held arms… Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure future for Manipur.”
Political Ramifications and Ethnic Tensions Persist
This amnesty call marked the first major initiative taken by Governor Bhalla following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the subsequent imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. While Biren Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously made similar appeals, this was the first instance where a surrender of this scale took place.
However, the surrender by Arambai Tenggol has been met with sharp criticism from Kuki-Zo groups, particularly the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU). In a joint statement, these groups dismissed the surrender as a mere “sympathy-garnering stunt” and condemned the Governor’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol.
“The submission of 300 looted arms by Arambai Tenggol today accounts for only 5% of the 6,000 looted arms from the Imphal Valley. This move is a strategic attempt to improve their public image, particularly after their meeting with the Governor of Manipur. It is a tactical move to garner sympathy and legitimacy,” the statement read
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Further, the groups accused Arambai Tenggol of being responsible for targeted ethnic violence against the Kuki-Zo community, alleging that the group was involved in the deaths of over 230 Kuki-Zo individuals, the displacement of 40,000 people, and the burning of more than 7,000 houses and 360 places of worship.
“The Governor’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol sends a disturbing message that the state is willing to negotiate with perpetrators of violence while ignoring the cries of their victims. This is a clear betrayal of justice and a direct insult to the survivors of ethnic violence,” their statement added.
A Long Road to Lasting Peace
While the surrender of arms by Arambai Tenggol is a significant development, the broader success of the disarmament initiative remains uncertain. With thousands of illegal weapons still unaccounted for, and ethnic divisions continuing to shape security concerns, achieving lasting peace in Manipur will require more than just voluntary disarmament—it demands trust-building, mutual security assurances, and a comprehensive political solution.
