Manipur Government Launches Accelerated Disarmament Drive Ahead of Deadline

In a bid to curb violence, Manipur’s chief minister announced a fifteen‑day surrender period for illegal firearms, ammunition and explosive devices on 12 August. Speaking at the First Battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground, Yumnam Khemchand Singh called on hill‑tribe and valley communities to cooperate by delivering weapons to their legislators or district police officials. He warned that the state would enforce stringent legal measures against anyone who does not comply. The operation follows a series of peace initiatives launched after the 3 May 2023 ethnic unrest, which saw over 6,000 sophisticated weapons and millions of cartridges looted from police armories.