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Key Points

Security forces conducted a major crackdown in Manipur, recovering 328 arms and 9,300 rounds of ammunition in coordinated operations. The haul included 151 SLRs and 73 rifles from five Imphal valley districts. This marks the largest recovery since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, when mobs looted weapons from police stations. Authorities urged citizens to report illegal arms as they continue efforts to restore peace.

Key Points: Joint Forces Recover 328 Arms and 9,300 Ammo in Manipur Crackdown

  • Joint forces recover 151 SLRs and 73 rifles in Imphal valley districts
  • Largest arms haul since May 2023 ethnic clashes
  • Operations target weapons looted from police stations
  • Public urged to report illegal arms to authorities
3 min read

328 arms, 9,300 rounds of ammo recovered in Manipur by joint forces' team

Security forces seize 328 weapons and 9,300 rounds of ammunition in Manipur's largest arms recovery since 2023 ethnic violence.

"Senior police officials are in close coordination with all security stakeholders to ensure sustained operations for public safety. - Manipur Police"

Imphal, June 14

In a major development, the security forces in joint operations, have recovered 328 arms and around 9,300 different types of ammunition in restive Manipur, officials said here on Saturday.

A senior police official said that in the wee hours of Saturday, on the basis of specific Intelligence reports regarding the presence of a large cache of arms and ammunition stashed in different areas of five Imphal valley districts, simultaneous search operations were launched at different locations.

He said that joint teams of Manipur Police, Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recovered the significant number of arms and a huge cache of ammunition and war-like stores from the outskirts of five valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.

Of the 328 arms recovered, 151 are Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), followed by 73 rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 12 Light Machine Guns (LMGs), six AK series rifles, five carbines, six pistols and many other different types of arms.

The joint forces also recovered around 9,300 various types of ammunition in the most successful operations, the official said.

A Manipur Police statement said that these Intelligence-based operations mark a major achievement for the Manipur Police, the security forces, in their continued efforts to restore normalcy, maintain public order, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their property.

The Manipur Police reiterates its commitment to a peaceful and secure Manipur, the statement said.

It said that the public is urged to cooperate with the police and security forces and report any suspicious activities or information related to illegal weapons to the nearest police station or Central Control Room.

“Senior police officials are in close coordination with all security stakeholders to ensure that such operations continue in a sustained and focussed manner to restore normalcy, maintain public order, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their properties,” the statement said.

The recovery of 328 arms and 9,300 various types of ammunition is the first major success of the security forces in Manipur after the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, 2023.

Various official reports, political parties claimed that during the ethnic riots more than 6,020 varied types of sophisticated arms and lakhs of different types of ammunition were looted from the police stations and police outposts by the mobs, attackers and militants.

Till March 6, around 1,000 looted and illegally-held weapons, including many sophisticated arms, and a huge cache of ammunition, have been returned to the security forces since Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla made the appeal for the first time on February 20.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is a great achievement by our security forces! 👏 Manipur has suffered too long due to illegal arms. Hope this recovery brings some peace to the region. But we must ask - how did so many weapons get looted in the first place? Need better security at armories.
P
Priya M.
As someone from Northeast India, I appreciate the joint forces' efforts. But recovery is just one part - the government must address root causes of conflict through dialogue and development. Only then will peace last in Manipur.
A
Arjun S.
SLRs, INSAS rifles, LMGs...these are military-grade weapons! 😳 Shocking that they were in wrong hands. Our jawans are doing great work but we need stricter laws against illegal arms possession. Salute to Assam Rifles and Manipur Police!
S
Sunita T.
While I'm happy about this recovery, the numbers worry me. If 328 weapons were found now, how many more are still out there? The government should offer more surrender schemes with incentives. Violence solves nothing.
V
Vikram J.
Good job by security forces! But this shows how serious the situation is in Manipur. We need better intelligence sharing between state police and central agencies to prevent such large-scale weapon thefts in future.
N
Neha P.
As an Indian, I'm proud of our forces working in difficult conditions. But we must also think about rehabilitation and job creation for youth in Manipur. When there are opportunities, fewer people will take up arms. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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