Imphal, Feb. 20 -- Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Thursday urged the people of the state "voluntarily" come forward to surrender the illegally held weapons to the nearest police stations within seven days.

"I sincerely request the people of all communities, particularly the youths in the Valley and Hills, to voluntarily come forward and surrender looted and illegally held weapons & ammunition to the nearest Police Station/Outpost/Security Forces Camp within the next seven days, with effect from today," the letter signed by Bhalla read.

The Governor has given a seven-day ultimatum to people of all communities in the hills and valley of Manipur to surrender the looted weapons. Bhalla said that returning these weapons can be a gestu...