Imphal: Security forces carried out extensive search operations on Wednesday in at least four villages of Manipurs’s Kangpokpi district, where recent violent incidents had been reported, and uncovered a stockpile of weapons and ammunition, the police said
The operations conducted in Leilon Vaiphei, Leilon Khunou, L Munlui and Konsakhul villages under the Leimakhong Police Station led to the destruction of large number of illegal bunkers, a police statement said, PTI reported.
Leilon Vaiphei, described as a Kuki‑Zo village, was the location where six Naga men were abducted on May 13; their bodies were recovered near the village on June 10, an official said.
There had also been reports of shooting in Leilon Munlui and Konsakhul in recent months, the official added.
The police statement listed the items seized during the searches: “eleven 12-bore SBBLs (sin
gle-barrelled breech-loading), 294 live rounds of ammunition for a 12-bore gun, two packages of gun powder, 34 empty cases of 12-bore ammunition, and six bulletproof vests,” it said.
Security teams dismantled thirty bunkers, outposts and strategic encampments found around these villages, and detained four people for verification, according to the statement.
Forces also demolished an unauthorised check post and a bunker at S Nabil and Loilamkoi villages falling under the Churachandpur Police Station of the district on Wednesday.
Police earlier said the DGP was “personally overseeing operations in areas where there has been a spurt of killings and armed activities between communities in recent weeks”.
Former chief minister N Biren Singh, in a post on X, welcomed the proactive security measures launched by newly appointed Manipur DGP Mukesh Singh.
The former CM said, “It is particularly encouraging to see that, after a long gap, the DGP himself is personally supervising the combing operations against anti-social elements today. I truly appreciate his hands-on approach and commitment.”
He also expressed confidence that with “the determined efforts of Mukesh Singh and the security forces, peace and normalcy will be restored in Manipur at the earliest”.
He urged all sections of society to stand united and extend full support to the security forces.
Since May 2023, ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki Zo communities have left more than 260 people dead and forced thousands from their homes.