Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla issued a stern warning to the state people while appealing to them to return the illegally held weapons within 7 days. The governor addressed the people of Valley and Hills through a letter. He assured the return of normalcy in the state by ending the hostility.
The governor urged the youth to voluntarily return the looted weapons and ammunition to the nearest police stations or security posts. He also assured people that no punitive action would be taken against those who willfully return the weapons.
But, Bhalla warned too, stating that the government will take strict action if a person is found with illegal weapons.
“People of Manipur, both in Valley and Hills, have suffered immense hardship for the last over 20 months due to a series of unfortunate incidents affecting peace and communal harmony. In the greater interest of restoring normalcy, so that people can return to their normal day-to-day activities, all communities in the State must come forward to ensure the cessation of hostilities and maintenance of peace & order in the society,” the governor said.
Earlier, A series of synergized intelligence-based joint operations by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in the districts of Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Bushnupur have resulted in the apprehension of five cadres and the recovery of weapons.
Acting on specific intelligence of the presence of arms and ammunition in the general area of Tingkhai Khullen village, approximately 12 km South of Kotlen village in Kangpokpi district of Manipur, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a search operation and recovered one automatic rifle, one .32 mm Pistol, one .22mm Pistol, four single barrel Rifles, one Mortar, ammunition and war like stores.
