Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had on February 20 urged the people of the strife-torn state to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days. The Centre imposed President’s rule in Manipur on February 13, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic violence between valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki tribes since May 2023. The Manipur assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. \”The seven-day period is good enough. If one decides to give up arms, it can be done in a day. After that (period), we will go and take such weapons from them,\” Chief Secretary PK Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event. He said the administration has been working on multiple fronts and there has to be peace and normalcy.
