Imphal (Manipur) [India], January 27: In a series of successful operations, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and other security forces have recovered 35 weapons, ammunition, and war-like stores from various districts in Manipur, including Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal West, Noney, Jiribam, and Kakching.
The operations began on January 19, when the Indian Army, in coordination with Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, acted on specific intelligence to recover a modified sniper rifle, five 9 mm pistols, two single-barrel rifles, grenades, and ammunition from the Lungkhongjang ridge in Bishnupur district.
On January 20, another operation near Khuga River in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts led to the recovery of one 9mm submachine gun, a .303 rifle, pistols, a single-barrel breach-loaded gun, a country-made mortar, grenade launcher, and ammunition.
In Tengnoupal district, Assam Rifles apprehended a cadre attempting to infiltrate from Myanmar, who later identified as affiliated with the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) group. The operation also led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.
Further intelligence-based operations continued across the region, with recoveries made on January 23 in Thoubal and Jiribam districts, where items like hand grenades, pistols, and rifles were seized. Additionally, in Chandel and Imphal West districts, successful operations on January 24 and 25 yielded more arms, including grenades, IEDs, rifles, and sniper rifles.
The recovered weapons, ammunition, and apprehended individuals have been handed over to the Manipur Police for further investigation.
These operations come amid ongoing violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, triggered by the Manipur High Court’s ruling on the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.