Imphal: A sweeping joint operation conducted by the Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Army, and Assam Rifles between the night of June 13 and 14 has led to the recovery of 328 illegal weapons and a trove of warlike materials, offering a glimmer of hope to a state long plagued by unrest.
Targeting the volatile outskirts of five valley districts, the operation uncovered SLR rifles, INSAS rifles, carbines, MP-5 submachine guns, explosives, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition — a seizure widely described as one of the most significant in recent history.
The scale and precision of the raid have reinvigorated public confidence and are being hailed as a critical step toward re-establishing law and order. Samuel Taithul, Secretary of the Zomi Students’ Federation in Churachandpur, called the seizure “one of the biggest we’ve ever seen,” adding that such recoveries have become more frequent under President’s Rule. “It’s a sign that central forces are finally making headway in disarming armed groups,” he remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, Zomi Council Chairman Vumsuan Naulak expressed cautious optimism. “This is a positive development under the current administrative setup. We hope the President’s Rule will be utilised more effectively to lay the foundation for long-term peace,” he said.
Across the state, voices of relief have emerged. From Ukhrul, Panpan Kasar lauded the efforts of both the police and military, calling the operation “commendable and timely.” He emphasized that the crackdown could significantly curb illegal activities, including arms trafficking, that have fanned tensions in the region. Another local resident, Tim Thumra, noted that “a large portion of the arms that were illegally circulated during the unrest in Manipur have now been recovered,” adding, “We are hopeful this is a sign that the conflict may finally pause.”
The recovery marks a rare moment of consensus and cautious hope in a state that has been grappling with ethnic violence, insurgency, and mistrust in institutions. For many residents, it is not just the physical weapons that were disarmed, but a symbolic disarming of fear and uncertainty that have clouded daily life.
With the success of this high-impact operation, security forces appear to have sent a clear message: efforts to stabilise Manipur are gaining momentum. As residents look to the future, the hope is that this is more than just a tactical success — that it is, in fact, the first step on the long road back to peace.
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