Amnesty Scheme: Deadline for surrender of looted, illegal arms extended till March 6

Pointing out that the deadline was extended following demands from both valley and hill areas for additional time, the governor's office, in a statement, said, “Upon the expiry of the seven-day deadline for the voluntary surrender of arms, there have been requests from both the valley and hill areas to extend the period. I have considered these requests and decided to extend the deadline until 4 PM on March 6.”

The statement further assured that no punitive action will be taken against those who surrender their weapons within this period, emphasising that "this is the last opportunity for everyone concerned to contribute to peace, communal harmony, the future of our youth and the security of our society."

Mr Bhalla had on February 20 urged warring groups to voluntarily surrender weapons robbed from security forces and other illegally held arms within seven days, the deadline of which ended on Thursday.

However, if not surrendered, any individual found in possession of such arms and ammunition after the deadline will face strict legal action. The police and security forces will conduct operations after the deadline to identify those who have not given up their weapons.

In the statement, the governor called upon people to “come forward and choose peace”.

Mr Bhalla reiterated: “We again request all those still in possession of such weapons to avail themselves of this final chance to surrender them without any fear of prosecution within the given period."

During the previous seven-day period, which ended on Thursday, more than 300 weapons had been surrendered, primarily from six districts of the valley.

After two years of violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups in the state, which left thousands displaced and hundreds killed, the Centre imposed President's Rule in Manipur on February 13, following chief minister Biren Singh's resignation. The state Assembly has been placed under suspended animation.