India, Feb. 28 -- Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has extended the deadline to surrender looted and illegal weapons until 4pm on March 6.

This follows the seven-day ultimatum by Bhalla on February 20 for voluntarily surrendering looted and illegally held arms and ammunition as part of efforts to end the protracted ethnic violence in the northeastern state. He assured no punitive action would be taken against those who comply.

The order, issued on Friday, said that the extension was granted in response to demands from people in both the hills and the valley.

"Upon the expiry of the seven-day deadline for the voluntary surrender of arms, there have been requests from both the valley and hill areas to extend the period. I have consider...