In a significant crackdown on illegal arms and insurgent-linked activity, Manipur Police arrested four members of a Keishal-based Village Volunteer Organization from their respective residences. The arrests were made during a coordinated operation in Imphal West and Imphal East districts, leading to the recovery of a massive stockpile of arms, ammunition, explosives, and tactical gear.
The Arrested Individuals
The arrestees have been identified as:
Rajkumar Sidharth alias Momo (33) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, Imphal West district.
Laishram Rameshor Meitei (44) of Lairikyengbam Leikai Salan Leirak, Imphal East district.
Athokpam Brojendro Singh alias Mukil (45) of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East district.
Laishram Sachikanta Singh alias Naothing (25) of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East district.
Massive Haul of Arms and Ammunition
From their possession, police recovered a staggering cache including assault rifles, carbines, pistols, grenades, tactical gear, and communication equipment.
Key recoveries included:
Arms: 1 AK rifle, 2 AK Ghatak rifles, 2 INSAS rifles, 2 SLR rifles, 2 carbines, 3 .303 rifles, 1 defective pistol, and a modified .303 with scope.
Ammunition: Over 1,000 live rounds including AK, INSAS, SLR, and .303 calibres.
Explosives: 3 grenades (HE, Chinese, and WP), one detonator.
Magazines: 50+ rifle and carbine magazines.
Anti-Riot Gear: Stun shells, tear smoke shells, and a stun grenade.
Others: Tube launchers, Baofeng radio sets with batteries and chargers, bulletproof plates, vests, helmets, mobile phones with SIM cards, and Aadhaar cards.
A detailed breakdown is provided below:
| Category | Seized Items |
|---|---|
| Arms | 12 rifles, 2 carbines, 1 pistol |
| Ammunition | 1,046 rounds + empty cases |
| Explosives | 3 grenades + detonator |
| Magazines | 51 (AK, INSAS, SLR, carbine, LMG) |
| Tactical Gear | 12 BP vests, 15 helmets, 8 BP plates |
| Communication | 8 handheld radios + accessories |
A Blow to Armed Networks
Police sources said the arrests and seizures mark a serious disruption of efforts by certain armed groups to smuggle, stockpile, and circulate illegal weapons in the valley. Authorities believe the suspects were not only storing the weapons but also preparing for weapon trafficking and prejudicial activities.
The seizure of bulletproof equipment, communication sets, and riot-control gear suggests the group had access to military-grade resources, raising concerns about how such materials were procured.
Next Steps
All four accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). They have been remanded to police custody for interrogation to trace the source of the weapons and identify wider networks.
Senior police officials have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on illegal armed groups, urging citizens to cooperate by sharing intelligence that can prevent further violence.