Joint security forces have demolished 23 illegally constructed bunkers and recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives during separate operations carried out in conflict-affected areas of Manipur, officials said on Saturday. According to police, the operations were conducted in parts of Ukhrul district and Tengnoupal district as part of intensified security measures in vulnerable areas that have witnessed ethnic tensions and violence in recent months. Officials said the first operation was carried out on Thursday in several hill villages under the jurisdiction of Litan police station in Ukhrul district. During the operation, security personnel demolished 23 bunkers that had allegedly been constructed illegally in the villages of Mongkot Chepu, Shongphel, Mullam, Sirarakhong, and Ringue. Police said the bunkers were believed to have been used as fortified positions in the disturbed areas. Apart from demolishing the bunkers, security forces also recovered arms and ammunition from the area during search operations. According to officials, the recovered items included a 12-bore pump-action gun, several live cartridges of different calibres, and more than a hundred empty bullet shells believed to have been fired earlier. Security personnel suspect that the recovered empty bullet cases may be linked to earlier incidents of firing reported in the area, though further investigation is underway.
Ukhrul district has remained tense in recent months following clashes between members of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities. The violence reportedly intensified earlier this year and led to multiple armed confrontations in some areas.Officials said several people have lost their lives in separate incidents linked to the unrest, while many houses were damaged or set on fire during the clashes. Security agencies have since increased surveillance and deployment in vulnerable pockets of the district to prevent further escalation. In another operation conducted on Wednesday in Tengnoupal district, security forces recovered additional arms and explosive materials from T Bongmol village under the Moreh police station area. Officials said the recovered materials included two single-barrel rifles and four 9mm pistols along with magazines. During the same operation, security forces also recovered 18 improvised explosive devices, commonly known as IEDs. Police said the explosives were safely destroyed at the spot by trained personnel following standard safety procedures to avoid any risk to nearby areas. Police said the seized fuel containers and the vehicle were later taken for further legal procedures and investigation. In another operation conducted a day earlier on April 30, police intercepted four more vehicles allegedly transporting fuel consignments towards Moreh. Officials said a total of 25 containers containing suspected petroleum and diesel products were recovered from the vehicles during the operation.
Among the vehicles intercepted was a Tata Magic vehicle allegedly driven by Elvis Lamkang, a resident of Chandel district.Police also detained an Eeco Van allegedly driven by Md. Abas Khan from Thoubal district. Two more Eeco Vans were intercepted during the operation. Officials identified the drivers as Dangsawa Koshil Pipachum from Chandel district and Md. Mujibur Rahaman from Kakching district. All four drivers were taken into custody following the seizure operation. Police said the vehicles along with the recovered fuel containers have been handed over for further legal action. Investigators are now trying to determine where the fuel consignments originated from and whether they were linked to a larger illegal supply network operating in the region. Officials said the investigation would also focus on identifying the intended recipients of the fuel products and whether similar transportation activities had taken place earlier. Moreh, located near the India-Myanmar border, is considered an important trade point in Manipur and has often remained under close monitoring by security agencies due to concerns related to illegal transportation, smuggling activities, and cross-border movement of goods. In recent months, authorities in the state have intensified checking operations on highways and border routes following concerns over illegal trade activities and movement of restricted goods.
