Manipur cannot achieve lasting peace as long as gun culture exists: CM

Y. Khemchand Singh linked lasting peace directly to ending Manipur’s “gun culture.” His message was that violence and the continued presence of illegal weapons prevent the State from progressing. He appealed to people to surrender such arms and reject violence.

He made the remarks during a visit to Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district. The camp was designated for militants under the Suspension of Operations agreement. It had recently come under security-force control after an operation found 17 people allegedly using false identities as SoO cadres.

The Chief Minister also called for cooperation to restore peace and harmony. He praised the CRPF’s CoBRA battalion but warned that innocent civilians must be protected during combing operations. His position combines disarmament with careful security work and community participation, rather than relying on force alone.

“Gun culture” is the environment created when armed groups, illegal weapons, and violence remain part of everyday conflict. In Manipur’s context, the phrase describes more than individual gun ownership. It points to weapons sustaining fear, armed control, and repeated clashes, making normal peace and development difficult.

The article connects this problem to Sinai Camp, a designated camp for militants under the Suspension of Operations agreement. Security forces found 17 people allegedly impersonating SoO cadres through false identities. That discovery shows how armed structures can be misused when identities and weapons are not properly controlled.

Khemchand said Manipur could not progress or achieve lasting peace while this culture prevailed. He therefore urged people to renounce violence and surrender illegal weapons. His appeal also included cooperation, while security forces were told to protect innocent civilians during operations.

The Suspension of Operations agreement is a framework in which participating militant groups stop offensive operations and remain within designated camps. Its purpose is to create a controlled setting for managing armed cadres while discussions or peace efforts continue. The source identifies the Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army as SoO signatories.

Sinai Camp was designated for cadres linked to those groups. The camp was supposed to accommodate around 150 people. However, during a security operation, 17 people were allegedly found using false identities to impersonate SoO cadres. This raised concerns about whether the camp was being used according to the agreement.

The article does not describe every rule of the SoO arrangement. It does show why designated camps matter: they give authorities a specific place to monitor armed personnel. Sinai Camp’s takeover by the CRPF followed concerns about security, identity, and law and order.

Sinai Camp was designed to hold around 150 cadres under the Suspension of Operations arrangement. That figure describes the camp’s intended capacity, not the number of people confirmed to be living there when security forces took control.

During joint operations, authorities found 17 people allegedly impersonating SoO cadres through false identities. The operation involved the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, police, and other security forces. The discovery suggested that some occupants might not have been legitimate participants in the arrangement.

This difference between the camp’s planned capacity and the alleged impersonators mattered for security oversight. Designated camps are expected to provide a controlled location for cadres covered by the agreement. If people enter using false identities, authorities may struggle to know who is present and whether the camp is being used lawfully.

The immediate background was the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum in Imphal East district. Afterward, security forces carried out joint operations in the area. The action involved the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, police, and other security forces.

Sinai Camp came under the CRPF’s control during this security response. Authorities found 17 people allegedly using false identities to present themselves as SoO cadres. The camp was linked to the Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army, both signatories to the Suspension of Operations agreement.

The takeover therefore addressed both the killings and wider concerns about who was operating from the camp. Khemchand praised the operation but stressed that innocent civilians must not be harmed during combing operations. He said security personnel were there to protect people’s lives and property while restoring law and order.

When illegal weapons and armed groups operate without effective checks, civilians can face direct danger. The article illustrates this through the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum. It also shows how insecurity can affect people who are simply living or working in the area.

Impersonation creates another risk. At Sinai Camp, 17 people were allegedly using false identities as SoO cadres. Such deception can weaken accountability and confuse security operations. Authorities may not know who is covered by an agreement, who is carrying out violence, or where responsibility lies.

Unchecked armed activity also makes security responses more difficult. Operations may become broader, increasing the risk to innocent residents if safeguards are weak. That is why Khemchand told security personnel to protect lives and property and urged people to surrender illegal weapons, reject violence, and help restore peace.

Disarmament matters because weapons can enable fresh violence and intimidate civilians. It also helps authorities identify who is involved in an armed arrangement. In Manipur, Khemchand connected illegal weapons and gun culture with the State’s inability to achieve lasting peace.

Political dialogue matters for a different reason. It gives conflicting groups and communities a way to address disagreements, make commitments, and define what happens after violence declines. Security operations can remove immediate threats, as seen when the CRPF took control of Sinai Camp, but they do not by themselves create shared consent.

The article shows why both tracks matter. Authorities found 17 alleged impersonators, while the camp was tied to an agreement involving militant groups. Khemchand urged surrender of weapons, cooperation, and harmony. Lasting peace therefore requires safer conditions and continued efforts to build trust and resolve conflict.