As armed groups hold onto sophisticated weapons, security forces ramp up operations to recover looted arms, raising questions about the effectiveness of voluntary disarmament.
BY PC Bureau
The weapon surrender initiative in Manipur, aimed at recovering looted arms and curbing violence, has fallen short of its primary objective. Despite an amnesty period extended until March 6, 2025, and calls from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for voluntary disarmament, only around 1,000 weapons have been surrendered—far below expectations.
The initiative’s limited success, coupled with the continued possession of sophisticated firearms by armed groups, underscores the deep-seated tensions and mistrust that persist in the state. \
After the deadline set by the Governor to voluntarily surrender illegally held arms and ammunition at 4 PM on March 6, 2025, joint security forces launched combing and search operations in multiple districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, Jiribam, and Tamenglong. The operations recovered 36 arms, 129 rounds of ammunition, seven explosives, and 21 other miscellaneous items while destroying 12 bunkers.
After the deadline of the request made by Hon’ble Governor of Manipur to the public to voluntarily surrender illegally held arms and ammunition on 4pm of 06.03.2025, joint security forces conducted combing and search operations from 4pm today at Imphal West, Imphal East,… pic.twitter.com/daNLs1STXl
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) March 7, 2025
The arms were mainly looted from police stations on May 3, 2023, when ethnic violence first erupted in the state. Several subsequent incidents of looting have also occurred. A majority of these weapons are believed to be in the possession of valley-based militant groups or private militias such as Arambai Tenggol.
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Governor Bhalla announced a voluntary surrender amnesty from February 20 to February 27, later extending it to March 6, 2025, in an effort to recover weapons and curb further violence. However, the initiative has largely failed, with only a fraction of the looted arms returned and sophisticated weapons still in circulation, casting a long shadow over the state’s fragile peace.
As of 7 PM IST on March 6, 2025, approximately 1,000 arms and 145,000 rounds of ammunition were voluntarily surrendered. The distribution across districts showed that central valley districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching, accounted for 767 surrendered weapons, while Jiribam District recorded 38, and hill districts such as Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong, and Noney saw 239 weapons surrendered.
The Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, which surrendered 253 weapons with much public attention on February 27, made no further contributions during the extended period. Many of the surrendered weapons were single- or double-barrel and country-made, rather than the automatic and military-grade firearms the group was known to possess.
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The initiative’s failure can be attributed to multiple factors. The 1,000 weapons surrendered represent less than 20% of the estimated 6,000 looted arms, indicating a significant gap. This low recovery rate suggests that many armed groups and individuals chose not to comply, possibly due to mistrust or fear of future repercussions despite assurances of no punitive action. Additionally, most surrendered weapons were country-made or less lethal, such as single-barrel rifles and improvised mortars, rather than sophisticated, military-grade arms looted from police armories.
Despite the initiative, Manipur’s security situation remains volatile, with both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities hesitant to disarm. The evidence suggests that the initiative has failed to reduce the threat of violence, as emphasized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for the recovery of all looted weapons to prevent fresh outbreaks of conflict. The slow pace of surrenders, even with the extended deadline, further underscores the program’s limitations.
Post-deadline, joint security forces recovered an additional 36 arms, 129 rounds of ammunition, seven explosives, and 21 miscellaneous items, along with the destruction of 12 bunkers. Specific recoveries included a .32 pistol, barrel guns, and an INSAS rifle. However, these efforts are separate from voluntary surrenders and highlight the need for more assertive measures to disarm militant groups and private militias.
The weapon surrender initiative in Manipur has ultimately failed to achieve its primary objective. The low number of sophisticated arms surrendered, persistent high tensions, and verification challenges highlight its shortcomings. To restore peace and stability, stronger security measures and deeper community engagement are necessary to ensure the recovery of all looted weapons and prevent further unrest.
