Disarming Manipur: Security forces recover 328 weapons in Valley sweep

A vast cache of weapons and ammunition has been recovered in Manipur, marking a crucial step in disarming civilians and retrieving floating arms that have fuelled instability in the state. In the intervening night of June 13 and 14, acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint teams of Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces and the Assam Rifles launched simultaneous operations across five valley districts.

The scale of the recoveries was significant, with 328 firearms seized, including 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 73 other rifles, carbine guns, MP5s, LMGs, AK-series weapons, and a mortar-along with thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition, grenades, and explosive devices. Officials say these recoveries are a critical step in curbing the widespread proliferation of looted or diverted arms, many of which went missing during the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.

The crackdown follows the imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025 after months of violent unrest, continued activities of armed miscreants and the state administration often responding with delayed or conciliatory measures. Under the central administration, led by Governor A.K. Bhalla and the state police led by DGP Rajiv Singh, the focus has shifted firmly to the recovery of illegal weapons and restoration of order.

One such development was the June 8 arrest of Ashen Kanan Singh, a dismissed head constable of Manipur Police, by the CBI at Imphal airport. Police officials said Singh had ties to Arambai Tenggol and is learnt to have gone missing from police records after the May 2023 clashes. His services were terminated in March after his involvement in cross-border arms smuggling came to light. His arrest triggered protests in the valley areas, with Arambai Tenggol returning to the streets in reaction to the police action. But authorities clarified that action is being taken against individuals involved in unlawful activities, not against organisations.

The fresh arms haul also includes five carbine guns, two MP5 guns, 12 LMG rifles, six AK series rifles, two Amogh rifles, one AR-15, six pistols, two barrels, and two flare guns. In addition, 591 assorted magazines, 3,534 SLR rounds, 2,186 INSAS rounds, 2,252 .303 rounds, 234 AK rounds, 407 Amogh rounds, and explosive materials such as grenades, Lathode shells, and detonators were recovered.

Security officials stress that disarming civilians and recovering missing arms is essential to lasting peace. The Manipur Police has urged citizens to report any information about illegal weapons to help secure the state.

India