Zomi and Kuki Communities Voluntarily Surrender Weapons in Churachandpur

This development comes in response to the appeal made by the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Members of the Zomi and Kuki communities have made a big move to restore peace and stability in Manipur. They voluntarily surrendered weapons. They handed over a cache of ammunition in Churachandpur district. This development comes in response to the appeal made by the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla. He urged all communities to return looted police weapons. The Governor asked them to surrender illegally held arms within seven days. The Governor warned of strict action against those found in illegal possession of arms after the deadline.

The Assam Rifles, State Police, CRPF, State Intelligence Agencies, and the State Administration launched a coordinated effort after the appeal. Security forces engaged extensively with Zomi and Kuki community leaders. They addressed their concerns about security. They also ensured them of government support in the peace-building process. The discussions underscored the benefits of de-weaponization in ensuring long-term stability in the region.

Community Response: A Step Toward Peace

The Zomi and Kuki community leaders recognized the importance of ending the cycle of violence. They took proactive steps to encourage the voluntary surrender of arms. The first batch of surrendered weapons was handed over to security forces on February 22, 2025. This event took place at Tuibong Village in Churachandpur district. Senior officials were present from the Assam Rifles, CRPF, State Civil Administration, Police, and State Intelligence Agencies.

Details of the Surrendered Weapons

The arms and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered. They included a total of 16 weapons. There were also explosives and rounds of ammunition:
• 1 M-16 Rifle
• 1 7.62 mm SLR
• 2 AK Rifles
• 3 INSAS Rifles
• 2 M-79 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs)
• 1 9mm Carbine Machine Gun
• 1 51 mm Mortar
• 3 .303 Rifles
• 2 Single Barrel Rifles
• 64 Gelatine Sticks
• 10 rounds of 60 mm Pumpi (Improvised Mortar) ammunition
• 17 rounds of AK ammunition
• 40 rounds of 5.56 mm Rifle ammunition
• 3 rounds of 9mm Calibre ammunition

The surrender of these weapons marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing peace process.

A Collective Effort for a Peaceful Future

The voluntary surrender of arms is the outcome of meticulous planning. It involves coordination among multiple agencies. These include the Assam Rifles, State Police, CRPF, State Civil Administration, and State Intelligence Agencies. Security forces worked closely with local leaders. They successfully instilled confidence among the people. They reinforced the need for peace over conflict.

Officials believe that this effort will inspire other groups to follow suit and contribute to long-term peace in the region. The move is also expected to encourage the youth to reject violence and actively participate in the development of Manipur.

As more communities come forward to surrender weapons, the region moves closer to breaking the cycle of conflict. The region is embracing a future built on trust, stability, and progress.