On Thursday, which was the final day of the deadline set by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for surrendering stolen weapons, an unusual sight was seen in Imphal. Members of the radical armed group Arambai Tenggol arrived in a procession of vehicles, carrying a variety of guns. The group handed over 246 weapons at the 1st MR complex in Imphal West.

Two days after meeting Governor Bhalla at Raj Bhawan, the group surrendered a large number of illegal weapons—the biggest surrender of its kind in the conflict-affected state. On February 20, the Governor urged people from all communities to hand over illegal weapons at the nearest security centre within seven days, assuring them that no action would be taken against those who complied. However, he warned that strict measures would be taken against anyone found with illegal weapons after the deadline. Since the conflict began in May 2023, around 6,000 weapons have been stolen from state armouries. Even after 21 months, attempts to seize more weapons are still happening. As of the last update in September 2024 by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, security forces had recovered 1,200 of these stolen weapons, but the majority remain in circulation.

According to Manipur Police, 246 weapons were surrendered at the 1st MR, along with another 61 weapons handed over in different parts of the state on Thursday. An Army official stated that, as of Thursday afternoon and before Arambai Tenggol surrendered their weapons, around 110 weapons had been surrendered in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Jiribam since February 20. These surrenders took place through combined actions involving the Army. Additionally, around 40 weapons were surrendered under similar circumstances in the Valley. The official also mentioned that more people might surrender weapons directly to the police in the coming days.

“Such voluntary surrender of weapons will significantly help in restoring peace, communal harmony and lawfulness in the state. As the seven-day period granted for voluntary surrender is set to conclude today, all concerned individuals, especially the youths, are strongly requested to come forward and surrender any looted or illegally held arms… Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure future of Manipur,” said a statement by the Manipur police on Thursday evening.

The Governor's call for the return of weapons marks the first significant action after former Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned and President’s Rule was imposed in the state. Previously, Biren Singh had repeatedly urged people to return looted weapons and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also made similar appeals during his visit a month after the 2023 violence. However, this is the first time such an appeal has shown results.

Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo organisations  Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) together released a statement denouncing the Governor's meeting with them and denouncing Arambai Tenggol's mass weapons surrender, describing it as an attempt to "garner sympathy and legitimacy."  

“The submission of 300 looted arms by Arambai Tenggol today is a mere gesture, accounting for only 5% of the 6,000 looted arms from the Imphal valley. This move is a strategic attempt to improve their public image, particularly after their meeting with the Governor of Manipur. It is a tactical move to garner sympathy and legitimacy… Arambai Tenggol is responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the Kuki-Zo, which involves the killing of more than 230 Kuki-Zo, forced displacement of over 40,000 Kuki-Zo, burning of more than 7,000 houses and 360 places of worship… The Governor’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol sends a disturbing message that the state is willing to negotiate with perpetrators of violence while ignoring the cries of their victims. This is a clear betrayal of justice and a direct insult to the survivors of ethnic violence,” said their statement.