Over 7000 arms, 83,000 ammo recovered, 272 coys of CAPFs deployed : Bhalla

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 5: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has stated that so far 7313 arms, 83,512 rounds of ammunition and 5,195 explosives have been recovered from different parts of Manipur.
Giving his customary address on the opening day of the 7th session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, the Governor stated that recovery of illegal arms remains central to restoring normalcy.
In addition, 549 offensive bunkers across hill and valley districts have been dismantled, he said.
The voluntary surrender of 1,078 arms in early 2025 reflected growing public trust in the peace process, he said.
The Governor said that a total of 272 companies of Central Armed Police For-ces, supported by State Police, Assam Rifles and Army units have been deployed to secure vulnerable areas, vital installations, highways and farming zones.
He also mentioned the establishment of State and district-level anti-extortion units to deal with the problem of extortion.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that phased resettlement of IDPs has commenced under a Rs 523 crore resettlement and rehabilitation package, including top-up assistance of Rs 1.70 lakh per house for 7000 PMAY-G beneficiaries.
First instalments have been released to 6,300 families with construction underway in most cases. Assistance has also been sanctioned for over 2,200 partially damaged houses while families with fully damaged houses have received immediate relief linked to verified return and resettlement, he said.
The Govt will continue phased resettlement with enhanced security, extend financial assistance for another year in view of livelihood constraints, rebuild community assets, facilitate supervised visits to original villages and address the requirement of about 5000 additional houses under PMAY-G during 2026-27, he said.
The Governor asserted that the State remains firmly committed to restoring dignity, security and sustainable livelihoods, with a target of resettling over 10,000 IDP households, comprising more than 40, 000 individuals by March 2026.
Under a zero-tolerance policy, large-scale destruction of poppy cultivation of over 3,841.3 acres was undertaken across multiple districts, along with significant seizures of narcotics and pharmaceutical drugs during the last three years, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said.
On healthcare, the Governor stated that foundation stones for super-specialty and assured specialty hospitals were laid in the five districts of Chandel, Jiribam, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul by the Prime Minister.
Moreover, GNM schools of Churachandpur and Thoubal were upgraded to colleges of nursing, he mentioned.  
Stating that the State’s own resources increased from Rs 1,443 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 2,087 crore in 2024-25, the Governor claimed that the State finances are on the path to recovery.
As of October 2025, the total collection of State’s own resources was Rs 1,254 crore, compared to Rs 608 crore in October 2024. With phased lifting of prohibition in select areas, revenue has started accruing with excise duty likely to see a considerable growth augmenting State’s resources, he asserted.
Despite major challenges, revenue collection during 2025-26 up to January rose to around Rs 1,302 crore, with an increase of about Rs 58 crore from the corresponding period, he said.
Under NESIDS and NLCPR, over 167 projects worth Rs 1,792 crore have been completed, including roads, medical and educational infrastructure, and water supply.
Two other major projects sanctioned include multipurpose indoor stadium at Khuman Lampak and allied infrastructure at Sainik School, totalling Rs 58 crore, he said.  
The Governor stated that a 5-MW floating solar photovoltaic power plant being constructed at Thoubal Multipurpose Project reservoir is targeted for completion during the current year.
Under PM KUSUM, 72 solar water pumps were installed and order placed for 102 more solar pumps, he said.    
On agriculture, Ajay Kumar Bhalla stated that an MoU was signed for export of 20 metric tonnes of white Chak-hao rice to Japan for the first time. First AGMARK certification for Chak-hao was also received, marking a significant milestone.
Under the Oil Palm Development Programme, a fresh MoU was signed to undertake oil palm plantation over 2,700 hectares during 2025-26. Land covering 1200 hectares has been identified with plantation completed in 402 hectares, he said.
During 2025-26, construction of five 75 MT capacity cold storage and 5 MT capacity pre-cooling chamber was started at Na-ransena, Bishnupur; Makui- longdi, Bishnupur; Lunghar and Paorei at Ukhrul and Jiribam.
Focused interventions were made in Manipuri Pony breed conservation. Financial incentives totalling Rs 30 lakh were provided to 86 pony owners covering 1,151 ponies.
In addition, development of a pony registration system software is underway for digital registration of each pony using RFID microchip-based identification to support long-term conservation and monitoring, the Governor continued.
He stated that implementation of a 5-year Loktak management project with an amount of Rs 145 crore has been initiated with reorganisation of the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
After rejuvenation and conservation of Nambul River was completed, rejuvenation and conservation of Imphal River was started in 2025.
Till date, development of eco-embankment zone of 500 metres, renovation of 43 existing wood-based crematoria, 600 sq metres of river front development, 1224 metres of angle iron netting along vulnerable solid waste dumping sites and 199 metres of slope protection work have been completed, he said.
A Sangai conservation breeding centre has been established at Keibul Lamjao National Park while establishment of a Hoolock Gibbon conservation breeding centre has been initiated at Kamjong.
Nongin conservation breeding centre at Ukhrul has been completed and a bear conservation project has been launched, he said.
Under the CoSFOM programme, 130 springs in Ukhrul were surveyed, with interventions completed for 14 springs.
Additionally, staggered trenches and farm ponds were created. 113 hectares of spring recharge area was reclaimed and community infrastructure constructed, he said.
The Governor informed the House that the Manipur  Water Supply Project, being implemented at a revised cost of Rs 3,300 core covering the Imphal Planning Area, 25 towns and 1731 rural habitations to provide clean drinking water as per National standards, has been extended till June 2026.  
The Integrated Sewerage System for Imphal, Phase-II  being implemented at an estimated cost of about Rs 1,255 core covering 16 wards with three sewage treatment plants, 21 pumping stations and 277 Kms of sewer network has achieved  40 per cent physical progress, he added.