Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Aug 12: More than 1,200 firearms, including around 600 weapons looted from government armouries during the ethnic violence in Manipur, have been recovered over the past five months, officials said on Wednesday.
A senior official said security forces comprising the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Manipur Police have continued extensive counter-insurgency and search operations, along with area domination exercises, in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas across the state.
The government has also intensified anti-narcotics operations, resulting in the registration of 72 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the arrest of 117 alleged drug peddlers during the past five months. Large quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances were also seized, the official said.
Focus on peace outreach
Highlighting the government's peace initiatives, the official said Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who assumed office on February 4, has undertaken a sustained peace outreach programme covering both the valley and hill regions.
“The Chief Minister's efforts have been grounded in a fundamental conviction that sustainable peace can be attained solely through sustained dialogue, the cultivation of mutual trust and a shared commitment to reconciliation,” the official said.
According to the official, Khemchand Singh's initiative has been particularly visible through visits to districts affected by ethnic conflict and distrust. These visits were described as gestures of solidarity and bridge-building.
His visit to Churachandpur, inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribals, was highlighted as a significant step, as it marked the first visit by a Chief Minister to the district since ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023.
Khemchand Singh attended the funeral of former MLA Vungzagin Valte, a veteran tribal leader, in Churachandpur. He described the visit as a personal gesture of respect and a “great honour”. The official said the visit was seen as an effort towards healing old wounds and rebuilding ties with the district.
In tribal-dominated Ukhrul district, the Chief Minister visited villages including Thawal Kuki and Sharkaphung and sought to address the trust deficit between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. He appealed to both communities to pursue peace and reconciliation.
Jiribam peace initiative
The peace efforts have also produced tangible results in Jiribam district, which the Chief Minister visited twice — on February 11 and April 4.
Jiribam, which borders southern Assam, became the first district in Manipur where people from different communities came together as part of efforts to restore peace after three years of unrest.
Members of the Meitei, Kuki, Paite and Hmar communities sat together, agreed to work towards peace and shared a joint meal.
In July, Khemchand Singh visited Naga-inhabited Senapati district and met leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs), seeking their cooperation in restoring peace and normalcy.
During his recent visit to Kangpokpi, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and local MLA announced the immediate reopening of all National Highways for free movement of people from all communities and the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur inter-state bus service.
The move was seen as a step towards restoring freedom of movement and normalcy. Khemchand Singh said the development of Manipur would remain incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi, a district inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal people.
46 KCP militants surrender
The official said sustained efforts by central and state security forces, under the leadership of Khemchand Singh's government, also facilitated the surrender of 46 Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militants in July.
The surrendered militants laid down their arms and chose to return to the mainstream, seeking peace and prosperity in the state, the official said.
The Chief Minister has also held meetings with community leaders, CSOs and other stakeholders on several occasions to work towards a lasting solution and restore peace and normalcy.
In a significant development, Khemchand Singh held a crucial meeting with the Kuki-Zo Council in Guwahati in March, the official added.