Manipur Raids Uncover Massive Arms Cache Amid Ethnic Strife

In a stunning blow to insurgent networks fueling Manipur's volatile ethnic strife, security forces uncovered a chilling hoard of weapons and explosives during sweeping raids in Churachandpur and Imphal West districts on Wednesday. The haul, described by police as a "major breakthrough," included at least 10 high-powered firearms, a stockpile of ammunition, deadly grenades, and even sophisticated communication devices—enough firepower to arm a small militia.

The operation unfolded amid heightened security concerns in the northeastern Indian state, where clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups have claimed over 200 lives since May 2023. Authorities suspect the cache belonged to underground elements exploiting the unrest to smuggle arms across porous borders with Myanmar.

In Churachandpur's remote hamlets of Mavom and Nepali Basti, a joint team of police and Assam Rifles personnel stumbled upon an M-16 automatic rifle complete with its magazine, two single-barrel rifles, and two 9mm pistols—each loaded and ready for action. Adding to the peril were two hand grenades, an improvised mortar bomb known locally as a "pompi," three spent 12-bore shotgun shells, and two wireless sets, likely used for coordinating covert operations in the hilly terrain.

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Meanwhile, in the more urban Khonghampat Mantri Leikai Chingkhong area of Imphal West, the search yielded an even more alarming discovery: a modified .303 sniper rifle fitted with an advanced optical lens for precision strikes, alongside a 9mm pistol, a .32 caliber pistol with magazine, and two additional single-barrel guns. The explosives alone were terrifying—six hand grenades of assorted makes, five detonators primed for IEDs, two more fragmentation grenades, and over 60 rounds of live ammunition in various calibers. Six magazines for different weapons and another half-dozen radio sets rounded out the seizure, pointing to a well-organized network evading detection.

"This recovery disrupts potential attacks and underscores our zero-tolerance stance against violence," a senior Manipur Police spokesperson told PTI, emphasizing the forces' round-the-clock vigilance. The districts, long hotspots for inter-community friction over land rights and political representation, have seen a surge in arms trafficking, with insurgents allegedly sourcing weapons from Southeast Asian black markets.

Eyewitnesses in Churachandpur described the raid as a midnight thunderbolt, with commandos rappelling into dense forests under cover of darkness. "We heard explosions—controlled ones from the forces disposing of the bombs," said local resident Thangminlun Haokip, who lives near Nepali Basti. "It's terrifying to think what could have happened if these hadn't been found."

Manipur's ongoing crisis has drawn national scrutiny, with the central government deploying thousands of troops and imposing internet blackouts to curb misinformation. Critics, however, argue that underlying grievances—like demands for Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis—remain unaddressed, perpetuating the cycle of violence. This arms bust comes just days after a similar seizure in neighboring Bishnupur district, where 15 rifles were recovered, signaling a coordinated crackdown.

As investigations deepen, police are grilling suspects and tracing the supply chain. "We're not stopping here; every bullet counts in restoring peace," the spokesperson added. For now, the people of Manipur breathe a tentative sigh of relief, but the shadow of conflict looms large over this picturesque yet fractured state.

Also Read: Manipur Police Nab Three Militants, Seize Arms Cache