A day after Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militants looted arms and ammunition from a police outpost in Thoubal district, Manipur, security forces launched a massive operation, recovering most of the stolen weapons and arresting a militant.
On Saturday night, around 30 heavily armed KCP militants stormed the Kakmayai police outpost, overpowering the security personnel. The attackers, arriving in three vehicles, stole at least:
- Six Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs)
- Three AK-47 rifles
- A large cache of ammunition
Swift Police Action and Arrest
Following the attack, Manipur Police launched an immediate search operation and arrested a KCP cadre, identified as Hijam Ningthem Singh (49). The operation led to the recovery of:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- Five SLRs
- Several rounds of ammunition
Militant Hideout Busted
Further combing operations were conducted in Ningel, Malom, Toubul, and Langathel, leading to the discovery of a KCP hideout at Langathel Chingkhong. Security forces seized:
- 48 live rounds of Insas and AK ammunition
- 25 empty cases of assorted ammunition
- Grenades and military fatigues
- A Gypsy vehicle, binoculars, bulletproof vests, and armored helmets
Impact of Arms Looting in Manipur
Since the ethnic riots of May 3, 2023, over 6,000 weapons and lakhs of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts. These weapons have fueled violence in Manipur, with militants and village volunteers in both hilly and valley regions heavily armed.
Despite continuous recovery efforts by security forces, many stolen arms remain unaccounted for.
Government’s Stand on Arms Recovery
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who submitted his resignation on Sunday, and the Home Department have repeatedly urged individuals to return looted arms, warning of strict legal consequences if they fail to comply.
Security forces continue operations across conflict-prone areas to recover missing weapons and prevent further violence in the region.
