Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the state government is making efforts to prevent further crackdowns and arrests involving members of Arambai Tengol while continuing its campaign to recover illegally held weapons and restore normalcy in the state.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Olympic Day Run with Tree Plantation programme organised by the Manipur Olympic Association at the Olympic Bhavan complex in Imphal, the minister said discussions had been held with the Director General of Police regarding operations connected to the group.
He stated that intelligence reports indicated that several illegal arms remained in the possession of civilians and armed groups, making de-weaponisation operations necessary. The minister appealed to those still holding such weapons to surrender them voluntarily to avoid further arrests and law enforcement measures.
Govindas said the newly appointed DGP has intensified efforts to restore free movement in the hill areas. He observed that while sporadic incidents of violence continue in some hill districts, the valley region has largely remained peaceful.
According to the minister, stability in the valley would enable security forces to concentrate their manpower on sensitive areas requiring targeted operations. He stressed that the recovery of illegal arms remains the government’s immediate priority and described de-weaponisation as the first step towards ending violence and restoring lasting peace.
He also appealed to people in the valley not to engage in activities that could disrupt the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.
The minister’s remarks came amid continuing efforts to recover looted and illegally possessed weapons following the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. He recalled that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had, on February 20 last year, appealed to residents to surrender such weapons within seven days, assuring that no punitive action would be taken against those complying within the specified period.
The issue has attracted renewed attention after the National Investigation Agency arrested three members of Arambai Tengol during the intervening night of June 19 and June 20.
The arrests triggered protests in several parts of Manipur, particularly in the valley districts, where demonstrators demanded the unconditional release of the arrested Arambai Tengol members.
