Under Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s leadership since February 13, 2025, Manipur has made notable strides in reducing violence through the recovery of arms, particularly in the valley districts. However, the hill districts-Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Chandel-remain significantly behind, with few weapons recovered and ongoing unrest fueled by the presence of illicit arms. To achieve a unified and peaceful Manipur, the administration must urgently extend its valley successes to the hills by implementing strategies tailored to address specific challenges, facilitate the safe movement of citizens, and support the return of internally displaced families. Equitable action is essential for healing the divisions within the state and ensuring lasting peace.
As of June 14, 2025, Manipur has reached a crucial milestone in restoring stability and public safety, recovering approximately 4,500 of the estimated 6,000 firearms stolen from police stations and security forces, which equates to a 75 percent recovery rate. This initiative, originally launched under former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, gained momentum following a revamped appeal from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in February 2025. Reports from early March noted that more than 4,100 weapons had been either voluntarily surrendered or recovered in the valley, with an additional 400 gained through intensified security operations by June.
The Governor’s campaign commenced on February 20, 2025, with an ultimatum demanding the surrender of illegal arms, prompting a robust response from the valley districts including Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. A landmark operation conducted overnight on June 13-14, 2025, saw joint forces-comprising the Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Army, and Assam Rifles-seize 328 sophisticated firearms in the valley. This intelligence-driven operation yielded various weapons, including SLR rifles, INSAS rifles, and advanced ammunition, signaling a positive trend towards normalcy in the region. Governor Bhalla’s decisive vision is commendable for restoring a sense of hope in an area previously marked by fear.
In contrast, the hill districts have made little progress, raising pressing questions: Why have these areas been overlooked, and how can peace prevail when sophisticated arms still circulate? The existence of unrecovered firearms poses not just a security risk but a significant barrier to unity, justice, and restoring normalcy in everyday life. The public’s concern has risen over the availability of advanced weapons used by Kuki militants against civilians and security forces, as well as whether these arms, allegedly governed by the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, were misused contrary to the established rules.
The violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, has led to widespread looting of state armories, with an estimated 6,000 firearms stolen from the valley. However, the situation in the Kuki-dominated hills remains murky, with a lack of reliable data regarding looted weapons and their recovery. In a particularly alarming incident in Churachandpur, armed groups raided the district police armory, seizing a substantial number of rifles and mortars.
Furthermore, unusual weapon recoveries in the Kuki regions, including foreign-made firearms, raise further concerns about the caliber of arms present in these areas. Kuki militants have been reported to possess advanced firearms, some of which violate the SoO agreement. Notably, images shared on social media showcase the presence of sophisticated weaponry, including German-made MP5 rifles, indicating that illicit arms supplies may be reaching these groups.
Several factors contribute to the administration’s challenges in the hills. The area’s dense forests and remote villages create logistical difficulties that contrast sharply with the more accessible valley. Security operations struggle to infiltrate isolated locations where narrow paths and thick jungle conceal caches of arms. Additionally, the attitude of Kuki civil society organizations, which openly resist the authorities and discourage the surrender of weapons, complicates recovery efforts in these regions.
To address these challenges, the state administration must adapt successful models from the valley-prioritizing intelligence, community engagement, and decisive action-in the mountain contexts. Operations could incorporate small, nimble units trained for combat in mountainous terrain to search remote villages while employing drones equipped with thermal imaging to locate hidden caches. Establishing temporary forward operating bases in strategic hill locations could enhance operational sustainability and response times.
Resource allocation must align with these efforts. Deploying additional units from the valley to the hills, equipping them with needed resources, and facilitating targeted training would bolster capacity. Moreover, addressing arms trafficking from Myanmar remains critical. Enhanced surveillance and collaboration with national agencies can help disrupt smuggling networks and lower the flow of illicit weapons into the hands of militants.
Governor Bhalla’s achievements in the valley illustrate a viable path forward, but the mission remains incomplete. The administration must prioritize the hills, moving beyond the recovery of simple arms to targeting sophisticated weaponry. With tailored strategies that promote community trust and resource equity, Manipur can bridge its divides. Intensified efforts in the hills are not merely optional; they are vital to ensuring free movement, the return of displaced families, and forging a united future. Each day of inaction risks prolonging suffering-a clarion call for immediate action to ensure peace in all regions of Manipur.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/opinion/story/why-are-authorities-struggling-in-hills-while-valley-achieve-75-percent-arms-recovery-in-manipur-1228974-2025-06-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-06-14 17:24:00
