Police probe origin of foreign-made rifles and pistols seized from AT members, aiming to dismantle militant arms supply networks in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
September 1, 2025: Manipur Police have arrested two members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol for allegedly possessing nine foreign-made weapons, raising concerns about cross-border arms trafficking in the state.
The arrested persons, Laishram Tondomba Singh (27) of Wangjing Lamding Bazar, Thoubal District, and Tourangbam Amarjit Meitei (20), also known as Yaima, of Lamding Mamang Leikai, Thoubal District, were produced in court on Saturday and remanded in nine-day police custody.
Police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including:
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7 HK33 rifles
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2 M4A1 carbine guns
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2 Glock .45 Auto pistols with 4 magazines
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28 empty HK33 rifle magazines
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8 empty M4A1 carbine magazines
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100 rounds of .45 ammunition
Additionally, luggage bags, mobile phones, wallets, Rs. 4,430 in cash, Aadhaar cards, and a four-wheeler with keys were seized. -
On 30.08.2025, Manipur Police arrested 02(two) members of Arambai Tenggol (AT) from Imphal West district, namely, 1) Laishram Tondomba Singh (27) of Ward no. 2, Wangjing Lamding Bazar, Thoubal District and 2) Tourangbam Amarjit Meitei (20) @ Yaima of Lamding Mamang Leikai,… pic.twitter.com/YTobhq0SUj
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) August 31, 2025
Arambai Tenggol, active since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, claims to protect Meitei interests but has come under scrutiny for alleged involvement in criminal activities.
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A senior police officer said, “The recovery of foreign-made weapons is a serious concern. This points to a wider cross-border trafficking network. We are investigating the source of these weapons and identifying all those involved in the supply chain.”
The police have launched a probe into the origin of the arms to dismantle networks believed to be supplying militant and radical groups in Manipur, emphasizing the need to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons in the state.