GUWAHATI: Manipur‘s Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum issued a plea to the Kuki-Zo population on Tuesday, urging them not to comply with state govt’s March 16 rder that mandated holders of licenced firearms to deposit their weapons to “ensure smooth conduct of elections”, reported.
ITLF‘s plea came on a day Army with Manipur police, confiscated a .303, one 9mm carbine, one country-made pistol, four grenades, and other “war-like stores” from different locations of the state.Polls to Manipur’s two Lok Sabha seats will be held on April 19. The remaining segments of Outer Manipur constituency will vote on April 26.

In a statement, ITLF emphasised the critical need for every available weapon to defend the “right to life” and “our land” against those intent on “killing and driving us out of our homes”.