Police seize cache of firearms, grenades in Manipur operation

Police in Manipur announced the recovery of a substantial weapons cache comprising various firearms and explosives. The recovered items included one A1 rifle, a 9mm pistol, two 12-bore double-barrel shotguns, three 12-bore single-barrel shotguns, and a locally manufactured 9mm pistol, according to police statements. Grenades and ammunition were also seized during the operation.

The recovery operation is part of ongoing efforts by state authorities to dismantle illegal weapon networks fueling communal violence. Security forces have intensified operations across Manipur as ethnic tensions continue to simmer, with regular reports of armed confrontations between rival groups.

The seizure underscores the proliferation of firearms in the state, where strict gun regulations coexist with a thriving black market. Authorities have attributed the persistence of violence partly to the ready availability of weapons, including smuggled and locally-made arms that continue to circulate despite repeated crackdowns.

The state has witnessed sporadic violence since May 2023, with tensions between communities resulting in casualties and displacement of thousands. Law enforcement agencies have stepped up operations to recover illegal weapons and arrest those involved in arms trafficking and violence-related activities.