Assam Rifles, Manipur Police conduct successful joint search operation in Senapati district of Manipur

Guwahati: A joint search operation was successfully launched by the Assam Rifles in coordination with Manipur Police in Senapati district of Manipur as part of the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order and ensure peace in the region.

During the search, a significant recovery was made, which included two bolt-action single-barrel guns, one single-barrel shotgun, and a variety of live ammunition consist of thirty-six rounds of 12-bore live rounds, twelve rounds of 12-bore special live rounds, six empty 12-bore cartridges, six live 7.62mm rounds, five live 5.56mm INSAS rounds, four live 9 mm rounds, and fifty rounds of .22 caliber live ammunition.

The recovery of these weapons and ammunition marks a significant achievement for the Maram Battalion of Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police.

In the last two weeks Manipur has witnessed over 1,000 arms being deposited across the hills and valley. Following the end of the deadline on March 6, security forces have launched an operation to trace illegal arms in the state.

The Kuki-Zo organisations are however firm on their stand that they will not allow free movement in their territory. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 1 issued a directive to ensure the free movement of vehicles on state highways starting March 8.

After the expiry of the seven-day period, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had, on February 28, extended by one week the time given for the return of looted and illegal weapons and ammunition to the security forces. A senior police officer who does not want to be named told ET, “The actual figures of arms being deposited are being worked out. Work is done to assess how many of them are looted and how many are illegal purchased ones. Nearly 1,023 arms have been surrendered by members of the public in five valley districts, five hill districts and Jiribam during the surrender period. Valley accounted for around 760 arms while the rest were from the hill districts and Jiribam. This surrender took place February 20 and March 6.” Arms surrendered included 9mm pistols, sub-machine guns (SMGs), colt-machine guns (CMG), self-loading rifles (SLRs), modified snipers, grenades including Chinese ones, INSAS and AK 56 rifles. Around twelve bunkers were destroyed at K Langnom and Khengjang areas while three others were demolished at Haraothel, all in Kangpokpi district.

Manipur police stated in X, “After the deadline of the request made by Governor of Manipur to the public to voluntarily surrender illegally held arms and ammunition on 4pm of 06.03.2025, joint security forces conducted combing and search operations from 4pm today at Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, Jiribam and Tamenglong Districts. A total of 36 nos. of arms, 129 nos. of ammunitions, 07 nos. of explosives, 21 nos. of other miscellaneous items were recovered and 12 nos. of bunkers were destroyed during the operations as follows 01 (one) no .32 pistol, 05 nos. of barrel guns, 02 nos. of Tear Smoke Munition, 03 nos of 9mm live rounds, 02 nos of .303 live rounds, 03 nos. of HE 36 grenades from Moidangpok under Patsoi PS, Imphal West.”

Prior to N Biren Singh’s resignation on February 13 since May 31, 2023, a total of 3,422 firearms had been voluntarily handed over to the authorities and police stations.

Security Advisor to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Kuldiep Singh in September last year had said around 6000 weapons were looted, around 2681 were recovered out of which only 1200 are looted weapons. So, 1400 weapons were not looted.