BY PC Bureau
In a bid to enhance security and stabilize the region, extensive search and area domination operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Manipur’s hill and valley districts. One such operation, carried out on Sagaishabi Road (Konchak Yangbi Road) in the Meitei-dominated Imphal West District, yielded a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and other critical items.
Imphal West, located centrally in Manipur, is a district predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community. As per the 2011 census, the district had a population of 517,992, with approximately 74.81% identifying as Hindu—a religion closely associated with the Meitei population.
Items Recovered During the Operation:
• Two 9 mm pistols with accompanying magazines
• One carbine with a magazine
• One .303 rifle, modified as a sniper rifle with a scope sight
• Three single-barrel guns
• Twelve rounds of 9 mm ammunition
• Two single-barrel ammunition rounds
• Four hand grenades
• One smoke grenade
• One Baofeng wireless communication set
Imphal West is recognized as the most urbanized and densely populated district in the state. While the Meitei form the majority, the district also hosts diverse communities, including Muslims (4.69%) and Christians (4.51%), reflecting its multicultural fabric.
In recent years, Imphal West district in Manipur has witnessed several significant arms seizures, reflecting ongoing security challenges in the region.
October 2024 Seizures:
In early October 2024, security forces conducted operations across various districts in Manipur, including Imphal West. In Khelakhong, Imphal West, the following items were confiscated:
• One Self-Loading Rifle (SLR)
• One modified .303 rifle
• One 9mm pistol
• Sixteen live rounds of ammunition
• Hand grenades
These operations were part of a broader effort that led to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from different parts of the state over a three-day period.
June 2023 Seizures:
In June 2023, a significant operation in Imphal West resulted in the seizure of:
• Two AK-47 rifles
• Three 9mm pistols
• Fifty rounds of live ammunition
• Explosive devices
This operation was part of a series of coordinated efforts by security forces to curb the proliferation of illegal arms in the district.
December 2022 Seizures:
In December 2022, law enforcement agencies in Imphal West confiscated:
• One M16 rifle
• Two country-made pistols
• Thirty rounds of assorted ammunition
• Improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
These seizures were indicative of the persistent efforts by security forces to address the issue of illegal arms in the region.
The consistent recovery of such weaponry underscores the challenges faced by security agencies in maintaining peace and order in Manipur. The presence of illegal arms contributes to ethnic tensions and violence, necessitating ongoing vigilance and proactive measures by law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of all communities in the state.
Broader Security Measures:
In a related development, the Manipur Police Control Room reported the successful facilitation of 426 vehicles transporting essential goods along National Highway-2 (NH-2). This key route serves as a vital lifeline for the region, ensuring the movement of supplies amidst prevailing tensions.
To maintain law and order, stringent security measures have been enacted, with security convoys escorting vehicles along sensitive stretches of the highway. These efforts aim to prevent disruptions and bolster public confidence in the region’s stability.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄
Manipur :The Meitei radical groups looting thousands of weapons without any iota of resistance from the security forces & the inaction to retrieve them, highlights the breakdown of governance. It can be defined that the guns were… pic.twitter.com/DHuPeT1BAU— Kimmi Khongsai🇮🇳 (@KimmiKhs) November 25, 2024
The continued vigilance and proactive measures taken by security forces highlight a resolute commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of all communities across Manipur.
Raids ON Kuki-Zo:
Earlier, the Kuki-Zo community expressed widespread outrage following a series of raids conducted by security forces in the hill districts, which are predominantly inhabited by Christians. The operations, intended to recover arms and ammunition, have been criticized for allegedly targeting the Kuki-Zo community and exacerbating ethnic tensions in the region.
Nowhere in India, the Central peacekeeping force such as the Indian Army has been treated with such disrespect and humiliation. The behavior of these Kuki women goes directly against the peacekeeping efforts of the Central Government.
They are stopping the Indian Army Jawans… pic.twitter.com/OXx4Ni5HtC
— sanajaoba (@Sana10Meitei) December 30, 2024
Allegations of Discrimination and Involvement of Meitei Groups
Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have been flooded with reactions from members of the Kuki-Zo community and their supporters. Many alleged that the raids were discriminatory and accused the security forces of being accompanied by members of the Meitei community, including the Arambai Tenggol, a group perceived as having a controversial role in the ongoing ethnic conflict.
One widely shared tweet by user @VoiceForKukis stated:
“The raids in Christian-majority hill districts are nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to disarm and marginalize the Kuki-Zo community. Reports of Arambai Tenggol aiding these operations further prove the biased intentions of the authorities.”
Another post by @Justice4HillPeople questioned the fairness of the operations:
“If this is a law-and-order issue, why are Meitei groups involved? Why is the government silent on arming valley groups while raiding hill communities?”
Resistance by Kuki Women
In several instances, women from the Kuki-Zo community reportedly tried to thwart the raids by forming human chains and staging sit-ins. Videos circulating on social media showed women confronting security personnel, chanting slogans, and accusing the forces of targeting their communities under the guise of maintaining law and order.
One protestor, speaking to local media, said:
“We are here to protect our families and our faith. These raids are unjust and one-sided. Why are they not conducting similar operations in the valley?”
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Community leaders and human rights activists have called for greater transparency in the conduct of such operations. They have demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations that Meitei groups accompanied security forces and that the raids were selectively targeting hill districts.
A statement issued by the Kuki Inpi Manipur, a prominent organization representing the Kuki community, read:
“The actions of the security forces, coupled with the alleged involvement of Meitei groups, are deeply troubling. We urge the government to ensure that these operations are not used as a tool for ethnic cleansing or to further oppress marginalized communities.”
Government Response
The state government and security officials have yet to issue a detailed response to the accusations. A spokesperson for the Manipur Police stated that the raids were conducted based on intelligence inputs and were aimed solely at recovering illegal arms to restore peace and order.
However, the lack of action against similar groups in the valley has fueled perceptions of bias. Critics argue that the failure to address alleged militarization among valley communities undermines the credibility of the operations.
A Growing Divide
The raids and subsequent reactions highlight the growing divide between the valley and hill communities in Manipur. With both sides accusing each other of harboring militants and escalating tensions, the need for a neutral and transparent approach to peacekeeping has become more urgent than ever.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the central and state governments to address these allegations and take steps to rebuild trust among the communities in Manipur. Without decisive and fair action, the cycle of violence and mistrust threatens to deepen an already fractured society.
