On Friday, the Manipur government asked the people of the state to surrender illegal weapons within 15 days or face comprehensive search operations by security forces.

“The state government is willing to take a considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within these 15 days starting today (Friday)”, the Chief Minister’s office said in a press release, adding, “At the end of these 15 days, central and state security forces will undertake strong and comprehensive search operations all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law.”

“There have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants using these illegal weapons. This is a serious matter and state government will take strong actions against such groups in any part of the state,” it added.

“The government also appeals to the people of the state to cooperate with both the central and state government in restoring peace and normalcy in the state,” the statement further said.

This is the first time that the state government has issued such a warning since the armouries were looted amid the ongoing ethnic violence, which began in May.

As per reports, thousands of weapons, including more than 200 AK-47s, 406 carbines, 551 INSAS rifles, and 250 machine guns — besides over 6.5 lakh rounds of ammunition have been looted from police armouries and stations over the past few months, primarily in the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley.