National

Manipur Governor Extends Deadline for Surrender of Looted Weapons to March 6

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

In response to requests from residents in both the hill and valley regions, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has announced an extension for the voluntary surrender of looted and illegal firearms until 4 PM on March 6. This decision comes after the initial seven-day deadline expired, amid ongoing appeals from various groups seeking additional time to comply.

“In light of the requests received from the valley and hill areas following the end of the seven-day period for voluntary weapon surrender, I have decided to extend the deadline to 4 PM on March 6,” stated an official announcement from the Governor’s office.

The statement further reassured that individuals who surrender their weapons during this period will not face any punitive measures. “This is the final opportunity for all involved to help foster peace, communal harmony, the future of our youth, and the safety of our society,” it emphasized.

Governor Bhalla had initially made the appeal on February 20, calling on armed groups to voluntarily return weapons looted from security forces and other illegally held arms within a seven-day timeframe. This directive was issued amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the conflict-stricken state, where approximately 6,000 firearms have been reported stolen from state armories since violence erupted in May 2023.

The surge of illegal arms has heightened tensions in Manipur, where ethnic conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have triggered widespread unrest. Authorities view the recovery of these weapons as a crucial step towards restoring law and order.

The central government has also been actively working to restore normalcy in Manipur, particularly following the resignation of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, which led to the imposition of President’s Rule. The voluntary surrender of looted arms is seen as a foundational step in this process, paving the way for further reconciliation and governance reforms.

National

Pickup Vehicle Crashes Into Divider, Two Killed Including Child

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A tragic road accident took place in Uttar Pradesh when a pickup vehicle lost control and crashed into a road divider.

The driver and a three-year-old girl died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Nine passengers who were travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

Reports said the victims were travelling to their native village to celebrate the Holi festival. A video showing the horrifying scene of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

National

Five from Karnataka Killed in Car–Container Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Andhra Pradesh: Five people from Karnataka were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in rammed into a container truck from behind in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Gangavaram in Palamaneru while the victims were on their way to Tirupati temple from Bengaluru. According to police, the car crashed into the rear of a container vehicle with great force, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

The deceased have been identified as Mohandas (71), Nagaraj (61), Kusuma (61), Jayanti (59), and Pooja (33). All of them were residents of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru.

Preliminary reports suggest that the impact of the collision was so severe that all five occupants died at the scene. Police have registered a case at the Palamaneru police station and further investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

National

Woman Kills Ex-Lover Over Blackmail in Ballia

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A married woman allegedly killed her former lover in Ballia after he blackmailed her with private videos, police said.

According to police, the victim was identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh. He was reportedly in a relationship with the woman from a nearby village.

Police said the woman wanted to end the relationship. However, Gupta allegedly began blackmailing her using obscene videos and harassed her repeatedly.

Unable to bear the threats, the woman informed her brother and sister-in-law. The trio allegedly planned the murder during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, they allegedly called Gupta to the village on a pretext. He was strangled to death, police said. The accused then poured acid on his face to hide his identity and tried to destroy evidence.

An unidentified body with a disfigured face was found on February 10. The crime was later solved during the investigation.

Police have arrested three accused, including the woman, and sent them to judicial custody. Efforts are on to arrest other suspects involved in the case.