IMPHAL,Feb 24: Manipur’s Chief Secretary, Prakash Kumar Singh, has issued a stern warning regarding the immediate surrender of unauthorised weapons, giving individuals a seven-day deadline to return such items or face strict legal action.
Speaking at a distribution event in Imphal East on Sunday, Singh emphasized that the government’s deadline of one week is more than enough time for people to voluntarily surrender weapons.
He described the return of looted weapons as the “first and foremost step” in restoring peace to the state, stressing the danger posed by weapons still in private hands. “Looted weapons are very dangerous as they threaten society,” Singh said. Addressing concerns about the short timeframe, he stated, “If they can deposit or surrender, they can surrender in one day,” adding that authorities would take swift action, including launching operations to collect weapons if they were not voluntarily returned within the seven-day period.
Singh was speaking on the sidelines of a distribution event, where bicycles were given to displaced students and looms to displaced women under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. At the event, the Chief Secretary outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach to restoring normalcy in the state, which includes securing national highways, building trust among communities, and resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Singh also addressed the safety of national highways, assuring the public that the government was focused on ensuring safe passage along these crucial routes. “The government couldn’t tell the exact period for this,” he noted, “but there is a need for extra deployment of forces along national highways. This step will take up soon.” He further reassured displaced persons about the government’s support for their well-being and their eventual resettlement.
The event was organized by the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East at the Panchayat Bhavan in the DC Office complex Porompat and supported by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and the National Handloom Development Programme. The distribution initiative is part of the broader efforts to bring stability to the region.
