Joint forces in Manipur recovered 328 arms and 9,300 rounds of ammunition across five Imphal valley districts. This marks the first major breakthrough since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, with authorities reaffirming commitment to restore peace and public safety in the region.
A joint team of security forces has recovered 328 arms and approximately 9,300 rounds of assorted ammunition during coordinated search operations across the Imphal Valley districts. The operation marks the most substantial arms recovery since the ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.
According to a senior police official, the raids were carried out in the early hours of Saturday based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of illegal weapons caches in five districts. Acting swiftly, joint teams comprising personnel from the Manipur Police, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) launched simultaneous search operations in strategic locations across Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts.
The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a staggering 328 arms. Among them were 151 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), 73 standard rifles, 65 Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifles, 12 Light Machine Guns (LMGs), six AK-series rifles, five carbines, six pistols, and various other firearms. In addition, the security forces confiscated roughly 9,300 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, along with war-like stores.
Officials described the seizure as a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to regain control over law and order in the region. A statement released by the Manipur Police emphasized the significance of these intelligence-based operations and underscored the commitment of law enforcement agencies to restore normalcy in the violence-affected state.
“These operations mark a major success for Manipur Police and the joint security forces in their continuous effort to restore normalcy, uphold public order, and ensure the safety of the citizens and their properties,” the police statement read. It also highlighted the importance of community participation in curbing the proliferation of illegal weapons and urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or control room.
Senior police officials are said to be in constant coordination with central and state security stakeholders to ensure that such operations continue in a sustained and focused manner.
The latest recovery is the most significant since ethnic clashes broke out on May 3, 2023, plunging the northeastern state into chaos. According to official data and various political reports, during the peak of the violence, more than 6,020 sophisticated firearms and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts by rioters, insurgents, and armed mobs.
In response to this widespread looting, a concerted effort has been underway to retrieve the stolen weaponry. Following an appeal made by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 20, over 1,000 looted weapons, including many advanced firearms, have been voluntarily returned to the authorities as of March 6. However, Saturday’s operation reflects the first major security success in terms of direct recoveries through combing operations rather than voluntary surrenders.
Security analysts suggest that the ongoing retrieval of arms is crucial for the long-term stabilization of the region. The presence of such a large volume of illicit weapons has not only exacerbated tensions but also made conflict resolution more challenging.
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The authorities have reiterated their unwavering commitment to a peaceful and secure Manipur. By removing illegal arms from circulation, the joint security apparatus aims to create an environment conducive to dialogue, reconciliation, and development.
The police have once again appealed to the public to maintain vigilance and continue their cooperation with security agencies to ensure that the state does not spiral back into unrest.
