Manipur CM Khemchand visits Sinai SoO camp, urges arms surrender

Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on Sunday, October 25, visited the Sinai camp in Kangpokpi district and said the state could not achieve lasting peace as long as "gun culture" persisted, appealing to people to surrender illegal weapons.

The camp is a designated camp under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. An official statement described the visit as the first by a sitting chief minister to such a camp.

Why the camp is in focus

The camp was recently taken over by the CRPF after joint operations by its CoBRA unit, the police and other forces, following the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum in Imphal East district.

During the operation, 17 people were found at the camp allegedly impersonating SoO cadres with false identities, the statement said. The camp was meant to hold about 150 cadres. It had been designated for the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), both signatories to the SoO pact.

What the chief minister said

Singh inspected the premises and was briefed by CRPF and Assam Rifles officers on the operation and the law-and-order situation in the area. He commended the CRPF's CoBRA battalion for its role in bringing the camp under the control of security forces.

He told the forces to take care that innocent civilians were not affected during combing operations, and said security personnel were there to protect people's lives and property.

Singh said Manipur could not progress while guns held sway, and urged people to give up violence, hand over illegal arms and work together to restore peace and harmony.

He later met representatives of civil society organisations and villagers in the area.

Context

The SoO agreement with Kuki-Zo groups was renewed in September 2025 with stricter ground rules, including fewer camps located away from populated areas. Groups linked to the camp have disputed the official account of the raid, saying those detained were long-time members and the weapons were registered. A senior official has said the raid sets a precedent for enforcing SoO ground rules at designated camps.