Massive Arms Haul in Manipur After Joint Security Raids in Hill Districts
GG News Bureau
Imphal, 4th July: Security forces in Manipur have uncovered a massive cache of illegal weapons and explosives following a coordinated overnight operation across the violence-hit hill districts of the state. The haul includes assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, mortars, ammunition, and explosives, recovered from Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur.
The joint operations conducted by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and central paramilitary forces were based on credible intelligence inputs regarding stockpiles of hidden weapons, particularly in Kuki-dominated villages, officials said on Friday in Imphal.
The recovered items include:
- 21 INSAS rifles
- 11 AK-series assault rifles
- 26 Self-Loading Rifles (SLR)
- 2 mortars (51mm)
- 3 M79 grenade launchers
“These intelligence-based coordinated operations in the hill districts represent a significant achievement in efforts to restore peace, maintain order, and ensure the safety of citizens,” the Manipur Police said in an official statement. Residents have been urged to support ongoing searches and report any illegal firearms or suspicious activity to nearby police stations or the central control room.
The operation comes in the backdrop of continued efforts to disarm communities following the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. Governor Anusuiya Uikey (appointed following AK Bhalla’s transfer) had issued a deadline urging residents to surrender looted or illegal arms, which was later extended until March 6. In response, a substantial number of weapons were handed over, including by groups like Arambai Tenggol (AT) and armed men from the Kuki tribes in various districts.
While most communities complied, both Kuki and Meitei groups sought assurance from authorities that no armed volunteers would be allowed to operate amidst the ongoing ethnic tensions. Despite these efforts, several fringe groups continued to pose challenges.
A recent video, surfaced after the surrender deadline, showed seven masked men with assault rifles, identifying themselves as ‘VV Eastern Zone’, threatening to block free movement on highways. According to sources, this group is a front for a Kuki insurgent faction operating around the border town Moreh, and security agencies are keeping them under close watch with action imminent.
The Centre’s plan to reopen highways for free civilian and commercial movement starting March 8 was met with violent resistance in Kangpokpi, though Churachandpur remained calm.
Manipur has remained tense since May 2023, when ethnic clashes erupted between the Kuki tribes and Meiteis, rooted in disputes over land rights, political representation, and alleged encroachments. The prolonged unrest has claimed over 260 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 people, making it one of India’s most pressing internal security crises.
