Imphal, March 7 -- A total of 196 looted and illegally held arms, including sophisticated weapons, were surrendered to Manipur police on Thursday, the final deadline for returning the weapons, officials reported.

A senior police official confirmed that the arms, along with a large cache of ammunition, were deposited in eight districts: Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.

Following the deadline, central and state security forces, including the Army and Assam Rifles, will launch a joint operation to recover the remaining looted weapons in both the valley and hill districts.

"Our primary objective is to ensure the free movement of people and vehicles on all roads in Manipur from Ma...