Manipur: Meitei group Arambai Tenggol gives up 246 weapons in largest surrender

Armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol on Thursday surrendered 246 weapons before security forces in Imphal, The Indian Express reported. This came on the last day of the deadline set by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for surrendering arms looted from the state’s armouries during the ethnic conflict.

The Arambai Tenggol surrendered the weapons before the 1st Manipur Rifles in Imphal West. Another 61 weapons were surrendered at several locations across the state, taking the tally of such weapons to 307.

“Such voluntary surrender of weapons will significantly help in restoring peace, communal harmony and lawfulness in the state,” the Manipur Police said.

This was the largest set of illegally-held weapons surrendered in Manipur since the conflict began.

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— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) February 27, 2025

On February 20, Bhalla had urged people from all communities to surrender looted weapons at security establishments within a week, and assured them that no punitive action would be taken. He had, however, warned of strict action for possessing such arms after the deadline.

Since the conflict in Manipur began, about 6,000 weapons have been looted from state armouries, according to The Indian Express. About 1,200 of these weapons had been recovered in security operations, according to an update provided by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh in September.

On February 25, the Arambai Tenggol met the Manipur governor and submitted conditions to surrender…

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