Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Jun 14: Manipur Director General of Police Mukesh Singh has said that nearly 70 per cent of the weapons looted during the ethnic violence in the state have been recovered, while security agencies are stepping up efforts to trace and seize the remaining firearms and ammunition still in illegal possession.
Addressing the media, the DGP issued a stern warning to individuals continuing to hold looted or unauthorised weapons, stating that law enforcement agencies would take uncompromising action against anyone violating the law.
“Police and security forces will act strictly against those illegally possessing arms and ammunition. Such individuals will be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Singh said.
He also cautioned that any attack on police personnel or security forces engaged in official duties would invite stringent legal action.
The police chief announced that search operations and preventive security measures would be intensified across several districts until normalcy is fully restored. He reiterated the appeal made by the Manipur Police urging citizens to voluntarily surrender looted weapons, ammunition and explosives at the nearest police station or security force camp.
Expressing concern over the spread of misinformation, Singh urged the public to refrain from circulating rumours on social media platforms. He said a dedicated social media monitoring unit is actively tracking misleading and inflammatory content that could fuel communal tensions.
“We are taking action against those spreading false and motivated information that has the potential to trigger conflict between communities. Anti-social and anti-national content is being identified and removed through appropriate legal processes,” he said.
Mukesh Singh, who took charge as Manipur's DGP on June 1 after serving as the police chief of Ladakh, has spent the past two days reviewing security arrangements in Imphal East, Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. During his visits, he held discussions with senior police officers, Army officials, paramilitary personnel and representatives of various Central Armed Police Forces to assess the prevailing law-and-order situation and operational readiness.
The DGP stressed the importance of close coordination among security agencies and called for impartial, professional and people-centric policing to rebuild public trust and maintain peace in the state.
According to an official police statement, Singh commended security personnel for their efforts in maintaining law and order, recovering illegal weapons, arresting armed offenders and conducting anti-drug operations. He urged officers to continue pursuing proactive and lawful measures to strengthen security across the state.
During meetings with representatives of various Civil Society Organisations, the DGP listened to their concerns, assured them of necessary legal action to protect public safety and encouraged initiatives promoting dialogue, peace and communal harmony.
He also highlighted the need to sustain counter-insurgency and anti-narcotics operations while maintaining vigilance against organised criminal groups and insurgent networks.
Special emphasis was placed on the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons affected by the ethnic violence. Singh directed officers to ensure secure and sustainable resettlement efforts and expedite investigations being handled by the Special Investigation Team.
The DGP also chaired a coordination meeting with Army and CAPF commanders, where discussions focused on strengthening security in vulnerable fringe areas, particularly during the ongoing farming season.
Official figures indicate that more than 6,000 sophisticated weapons and several lakh rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations, outposts and security force armouries after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023.
The recovery drive began later that month following an appeal by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for the voluntary surrender of weapons. The campaign received renewed momentum after Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently issued a fresh appeal urging people to hand over illegally held arms and ammunition to the authorities.
Police officials said efforts to recover the remaining weapons and restore lasting peace in the state will continue with renewed intensity.