The operations were conducted on June 17 and confirmed by the police. They focused on villages including Leilon Vaiphei, Leilon Khunou, L Munlui and Konsakhul under Leimakhong Police Station limits in Kangpokpi district. These areas have remained sensitive due to repeated incidents of firing, armed mobilisation and violence in recent months.
Officials confirmed the recovery of a cache of weapons and material, including 11 single-barrelled breech-loading 12-bore guns, 294 live rounds of ammunition, two packets of gunpowder, 34 empty cartridge cases and six bulletproof vests.
Massive bunker demolition across conflict zones
In one of the most extensive clearance operations in recent weeks, security forces dismantled 30 bunkers, outposts and strategic camp sites spread across the targeted villages. Officials said these structures were being used as fortified positions in areas marked by continuing ethnic tensions and armed activity.
Four individuals were also detained for verification during the operation, officials added.
Leilon Vaiphei village, a Kuki-Zo settlement, had earlier been the site of a major incident on May 13 when six Naga men were abducted. Their bodies were recovered near the village on June 10, an episode that further escalated tensions in the region. Officials also cited repeated firing incidents from Leilon Munlui and Konsakhul in recent months as part of the security assessment that triggered the intensified operations.
Parallel strikes in Churachandpur and Saikul
Simultaneous operations were carried out in Churachandpur and Saikul, where security forces dismantled an unauthorised check post and destroyed additional bunkers at S Nabil, Loilamkoi, Thingphai and C Kholen villages.
The coordinated action reflects a wider strategy aimed at breaking down improvised armed infrastructure that has emerged across multiple pockets of the hill districts amid prolonged unrest.
Highways kept open under heavy security cover
Despite the volatile security situation, authorities confirmed that essential supplies continue to move without disruption. Around 300 vehicles carrying essential commodities were escorted along National Highway-37 under tight security deployment to ensure safe passage through vulnerable stretches.
A total of 116 nakas and checkpoints remain active across hill and valley districts, forming a dense security grid to monitor movement and maintain law and order.
Top-level supervision and political backing
Manipur Director General of Police Mukesh Singh is personally overseeing operations in sensitive areas, focusing on recovery of looted weapons and dismantling illegal armed positions.
Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh has also backed the intensified crackdown, calling it a necessary step towards restoring order and urging all communities to extend cooperation to security forces.
State remains on edge
Manipur has remained in prolonged instability since ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in May 2023, leaving more than 260 people dead and thousands displaced. Despite repeated security interventions and weapon recovery drives, the situation continues to remain fragile, with sporadic violence and deep mistrust persisting across the state.