Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has thrown a lifeline to locals hoarding looted and illegal weapons, stretching the surrender deadline to 4 PM on March 6, 2025, after pleas from both hill and valley residents. The original seven-day ultimatum, issued on February 20, expired Thursday, but Bhalla’s bowing to pressure with a fresh cutoff, announced in a Friday statement.

“Requests poured in from all corners—valley and hills—for more time,” Bhalla said. “I’ve listened and extended it to March 6. No punishment for those who hand over arms by then.” He billed it as the “final chance” to ditch the guns and boost peace, harmony, and security in a state scarred by ethnic bloodshed since May 2023, when Meitei-Kuki-Zo clashes left over 250 dead and thousands homeless.

The first deadline wasn’t a flop—over 300 weapons, mostly from valley districts, hit the surrender pile, per local reports. Social Media posts buzzed with pics of rifles and ammo handed in, though some griped about spotty hill turnout. Bhalla’s initial call targeted arms nicked from security forces and other illicit stashes, a bid to cool tensions after the Centre slapped President’s rule on February 13, following Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s exit. The state assembly’s in limbo till 2027.

With violence simmering, this extension’s a high-stakes gamble—will more firepower surface, or will holdouts dig in? Bhalla’s banking on goodwill, but Manipur’s fragile peace hangs in the balance as March 6 looms.