IMPHAL, Oct. 26 -- Manipur cannot achieve lasting peace and progress as long as "gun culture" persisted in the state, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on Sunday, while appealing people to surrender illegal arms. The chief minister visited Sinai Camp, a designated camp of Suspension of Operation (SoO) militants in Kangpokpi district of Manipur, following its take over by security forces after a joint operation, according to an official statement. This is the first visit by a sitting chief minister to a designated camp under the SoO. "We are here to protect the lives and properties of the people. Manipur cannot progress or achieve lasting peace as long as a gun culture exists," the statement cited Khemchand Singh as saying. He furth...