During a security sweep in Churachandpur, Manipur, security forces recovered homemade rocket-propelled explosive devices, sniper rounds, and riot control ammunition. These weapons play a crucial role in the escalating ethnic violence in the region, with insurgent groups using them in their ongoing conflict against state forces and rival militias.
BY PC Bureau
In a smajorsecurity operation conducted by the Manipur police, several weapons and ammunition were recovered from Churachandpur district, a region heavily dominated by the Kuki community. The operation took place in the area stretching from Loilamkot to Nalon under the jurisdiction of Henglep police station in Churachandpur district.
Recovered Items:
- 06 Rocket-propelled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) with a launcher
- 01 Country-made Mortar (Pompi)
- 01 7.62mm Sniper round
- 01 Sniper magazine
- 03 Tear Smoke shells (Short Range)
- 04 Tear Smoke shells (CS)
- 02 Tear Smoke shells (Normal)
- 01 Cart 38mm Riot Control round with rubber bullet
- 03 IED shells
- 03 Helmets
- 03 Bulletproof Jackets with 01 Fibre Plate.
Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley Districts. During the search operation, the following items were recovered.
06 (six) nos. of Rocket (IED) along with one Launcher, 01 (one) country made… pic.twitter.com/fQC2Z5XH7e— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) January 28, 2025
Manipur Police Seize Homemade Rockets and Ammunition
Homemade rockets or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) pose significant dangers due to their explosive potential and unpredictable nature. These devices are often crafted with readily available materials, making them highly destructive and difficult to detect. When detonated, homemade rockets can cause severe damage to infrastructure, vehicles, and buildings, leading to injuries or fatalities. One of the key risks is their unpredictability; these devices may malfunction or fail to detonate, but when they do, they can result in dvastating consequences.
Used predominantly in asymmetrical warfare, these weapons are favored by insurgeand guerrilla groups who rely on unconventional tactics to strike at security forces and civilians. Due to their small size and ease of concealment, they are challenging for authorities to detect, posing a constant threat in conflict zones. In areas like Churachandpur, the deployment of homemade rockets intensifies an already fragile security situation, further complicating efforts to protect civilians and restore order. Their impact is particularly deadly in populated areas, where the blast radius and shrapnel can cause widespread harm.
This operation comes amid the heightened ethnic tensions that have gripped the region. Churachandpur, a strategically significant district, has been at the heart of the Kuki-Zo dominated areas. It has long been a flashpoint in the ongoing ethnic conflict, particularly as the Kuki community finds itself in a complex struggle against the Meitei-dominated valley. The discovery of such a large cache of weaponry speaks to the intensity and sophistication of the ongoing insurgency.
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Historical Significance:
Churachandpur’s role in the conflict cannot be understated. Historically, the district has been a stronghold for the Kuki community, which has often found itself on the defensive amidst the larger political and ethnic struggles in the state of Manipur. Over the years, Churachandpur has witnessed various instances of violence, both between communities and with the state forces. This region has hosted significant military operations and is known for its active insurgent groups that have received support from neighboring Myanmar, especially during times of political and ethnic upheaval.
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The weapon cache recovered by security forces highlights the alarming escalation of the ethnic conflict in the area. These arms are indicative of the complex and militarized nature of the current ethnic divisions, with Kuki insurgent groups reportedly engaged in violent clashes with Meitei militias and state forces. The discovery further emphasizes the ongoing militarization of the region, with many insurgent factions using this district as a base for both defensive and offensive operations.
The Role in the Ongoing Conflict:
The Kuki-dominated region of Churachandpur has witnessed increased insurgent activities in recent months, often fueled by ethnic animosities and territorial disputes. The recovered weapons suggest that insurgents in the region are well-equipped and organized. These weapons are believed to play a key role in the ongoing ethnic conflict, where insurgent groups have engaged in direct combat with both the Meitei-controlled government forces and each other.
The ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, particularly in the hill districts like Churachandpur, continues to undermine the fragile peace in the state, with weapons proliferation exacerbating an already volatile situation. The findings of this operation underscore the need for sustained peace efforts to curb the violence and the illicit flow of weapons into conflict zones.
