Manipur CM Appeals to People to Surrender Illegal Arms, Says Gun Culture Hinders Peace

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday said the state could not achieve lasting peace as long as gun culture persisted, urging people to surrender illegal weapons and work collectively to restore peace and harmony.

Singh made the remarks during a visit to Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district, a designated camp for militants covered under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, according to an official statement.

The camp was recently taken over by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following joint operations involving its CoBRA unit, police and other security personnel. The operations were launched in the aftermath of the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum in Imphal East district.

During the operation, security personnel found 17 people allegedly impersonating SoO cadres by using false identities, the statement said. The camp was intended to accommodate around 150 cadres.

Sinai Camp was designated for the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), both signatories to the SoO agreement. Singh's visit was described in the statement as the first by a sitting chief minister to a designated SoO camp.

Upon reaching the facility, Singh inspected the premises and received briefings from CRPF and Assam Rifles officers on the operation and the prevailing law and order situation in the area.

Interacting with senior officers and security personnel, the chief minister commended the CRPF's CoBRA battalion for its role in the operation that brought the camp under the control of security forces.

However, he emphasised that adequate precautions must be taken during combing operations to ensure that innocent civilians were not affected. Security personnel were deployed to protect people's lives and property, Singh said, stressing the importance of safeguarding civilians while maintaining law and order.

He reiterated that Manipur could not progress or secure lasting peace while gun culture continued to prevail. He appealed to people to renounce violence and surrender illegal arms. The chief minister later interacted with representatives of civil society organisations and villagers in the area, the statement added.