Authorities fear the UNLF-P used the cover of peace talks to expand its illegal operations. Investigators are now tracing the syndicate’s reach across several Indian states including Punjab.
BY PC Bureau
July 6, 2025: Security forces in Manipur have uncovered a  transnational arms smuggling network allegedly operating from Myanmar, with potential implications across India, following the arrest of a senior leader of the Valley-based insurgent group United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P).
The case, which came to light in late June, led to the arrest of four individuals, including Sinam Somendro Meitei alias Richard, a self-styled lieutenant colonel and project secretary of the proscribed UNLF-P, reports news agency PTI.
According to officials quoted by the PTI, the group is suspected of sourcing sophisticated foreign-made weapons from across the porous Indo-Myanmar border and distributing them within India using forged documentation, in collusion with licensed gun houses.
The probe began after Manipur Police received intelligence inputs about illegal arms sales in the greater Imphal area. On June 24, police detained Lanchenba Nongthombam, the proprietor of Nongthombam Gun House, who was allegedly selling firearms without proper records. His interrogation reportedly led police to Richard.
During subsequent raids at Richard’s residence, police recovered four U.S.-made revolvers and pistols, one Austrian revolver, an Indian-made pistol, multiple rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, and high-end communication devices, officials confirmed.
Massive arms smuggling racket busted! @manipur_police arrested ‘Richard,’ a top UNLF-P leader, who allegedly was a part of a network that brought weapons from Myanmar and sold them across India. This probe has nationwide implications and other security agencies are working on it.…
— sumir kaul (@sumirkaul) July 6, 2025
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Police believe the weapons were trafficked from Myanmar and sold across India under false documentation—a clear violation of Section 10 of the Arms Act, which prohibits the import of foreign weapons without prior approval. A related case involving one such weapon has already been detected in Punjab, and further investigations are underway nationwide.
The arrest of Richard has raised serious concerns about the UNLF-P’s compliance with its ceasefire agreement signed with the government in November 2023. Although the outfit pledged to lay down arms, officials allege the group has failed to deposit its weapons or submit a list of its cadres. Instead, some members are reportedly continuing activities such as extortion and smuggling.
Police sources noted that Richard attempted to invoke his involvement in the ceasefire process during questioning, but authorities said the criminal nature of the charges superseded any political negotiations.
Richard is a known figure with a long criminal history, dating back to his first arrest in 1995 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He was also detained in 2005 and 2006 for UAPA violations and extortion, and arrested again in Shillong in 2006. In 2003, he was re
