In Manipur, state security forces have intensified search and seizure operations across sensitive regions, leading to a series of significant recoveries. In separate incidents, one man was arrested in Imphal East with illegal weapons, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was unearthed in the forested interior of Churachandpur district. On July 2, Manipur Police apprehended 41-year-old Thokchom Rajesh Meitei, a resident of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai, from the Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai area under the jurisdiction of Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East. During the arrest, officers recovered a .32 pistol with a magazine, one live .32mm round, and a 7.62 x 30mm AK rifle round from his possession. The police believe the arms may have been intended for illegal distribution or criminal activity. The arrest forms part of an ongoing state-wide crackdown as security personnel ramp up search operations, area domination exercises, and surveillance patrols, particularly in fringe areas and districts affected by recent unrest.
Just a day later, on July 3, a substantial weapons stockpile was discovered in the forest near Maovom village under Churachandpur Police Station. Acting on intelligence inputs, security teams combed through dense terrain to uncover a wide array of illicit firearms. The cache included:
One country-made AK rifle with magazine
One lathode gun
Four country-made pistols with magazines
Three single-barrel rifles
One country-made sten carbine
Four pump-action firearms of various sizes
Accompanying the weapons was a notable quantity of ammunition, consisting of:
Six live 5.56mm rounds,
Six spent 5.56mm casings,
One live 7.62mm AK-47 round,
Nine empty 7.62mm casings,
Three live pump-action rounds,
Six 12-gauge cartridges,
Two empty 7.62mm SLR/BDR casings, and
One empty lathode round casing
The team also seized military gear, including a bulletproof jacket, a helmet, a Baofeng walkie-talkie set (without antenna), and a pair of jungle boots, suggesting potential militant or paramilitary activity.In another coordinated search on the same day, forces recovered additional arms from Wangoo Naodakhong area in Bishnupur district, under the jurisdiction of Kumbi Police Station. The items seized included a .32 pistol, two empty magazines, and two live .32mm rounds.
