The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Nearly 22 months after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur, a vast cache of looted arms and ammunition remain in the hands of militant groups. While some weapons have been surrendered under pressure from the state government, much of the sophisticated arsenal remains unaccounted for, raising concerns about the ongoing security crisis in the region.
On February 20, Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla issued a public appeal urging residents to return stolen and illegally held weapons, calling it a “powerful gesture toward ensuring peace.” However, as the February 27 deadline approached, little had moved in the direction. Bhalla extended the deadline to March 6, warning of severe consequences for non-compliance.
Larger cache
On February 25, 2025, members of the Imphal-based militant group Arambai Tenggol met with Bhalla to discuss ways to restore peace in the state.
Arambai Tenggol is a Meitei radical group, known for its involvement in the ongoing ethnic conflict and its role in mobilising armed youth during the violence.
Following their meeting with Bhalla, on February 27, the final day of the first deadline, Arambai Tenggol surrendered 246 weapons at the 1st Manipur Rifles (MR) complex in Imphal West. An additional 61 weapons were handed over in various hill and valley areas, bringing the total count to 307. Manipur Police posted daily updates on X regarding the surrendered weapons.
However, the surrendered cache represents only a fraction of the arms looted since the violence began. The Wire has learned that Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun had taken a far larger number, much of which remains in circulation. Despite the police routinely listing surrendered arms on X, they have notably omitted any reference to those turned in by Arambai Tenggol, which remains under investigation by the National Investigation Agency for its alleged role in looting a Manipur Rifles complex.
Weapons
Since May 3, 2023, militant factions in Imphal have amassed a vast array of stolen arms, including:
- INSAS rifles
- AK-47s
- Mortars
- Carbines
- Light machine guns
- MP5 rifles
- Bulletproof jackets
- Hand grenades
- Bombs
- SLRs
- Pistols
- GF rifles
- .303 rifles
- Medium Machine Guns (MMGs)
- AK assault rifles
- M-16s
- Manipur Police uniforms
Despite government efforts, only a fraction of these weapons have been recovered – primarily basic firearms. Notably, not a single bulletproof jacket has been returned by Arambai Tenggol. A total of 6,000 arms were looted in Manipur over different periods since May 3, 2023 by “the Meitei militia”, as reported by The New Indian Express. By the evening of March 6, 1,044 arms and 14,779 rounds of ammunition were surrendered to security forces, according to IndianExpress. However, only 246 weapons were surrendered by Arambai Tenggol, while the rest were surrendered by the general public across various districts of Manipur.
Reports and claims by opposition parties have indicated that approximately 6,000 arms and over 600,000 rounds of ammunition had been looted by the Meitei militia.
Some of the aforementioned weapons were surrendered in other districts, but none have been identified as having been returned by Arambai Tenggol by the Manipur Police which has posted daily updates on surrendered weapons on X. No list of weapons actually surrendered by Arambai Tenggol has yet been made public by Manipur Police.
The Wire also reached out to Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh to inquire about the number of surrendered arms from the total looted weapons. We have not received a response from the DGP yet.
Arambai Tenggol has been named in multiple FIRs filed by the Kuki-Zo community, linking the group to incidents of violence and killings. Since ethnic clashes erupted on May 3, 2023, over 6,500 FIRs have been registered in Manipur, documenting widespread destruction and the use of looted weapons in attacks.
Manipur Commando uniforms
In June 2023, an Intelligence Bureau report revealed that a group had arranged for 500 Manipur Police uniforms, commissioning a tailor in Bishnupur district to stitch them.
In September 2023, Arambai Tenggol militants, dressed in police commando uniforms, attempted to break through security checkpoints and move toward Pallel. The confrontation left 45 people injured, and several Kuki-Zo-owned shops were set on fire. A report on The Caravan also indicated that Manipur Police personnel were seen safeguarding Arambai Tenggol members in Pallel.
Uncertainty
With the March 6 deadline for surrendering weapons past, it remains unclear whether Manipur’s armed groups will comply or whether another extension will follow. This is not the first time authorities in Manipur have urged people to surrender weapons. Similar appeals have been made in the past, but with limited success.
Former chief minister N. Biren Singh made at least two official requests for the surrender of arms.
Local MLAs set up drop boxes in different areas to encourage voluntary surrender.
Union home minister Amit Shah also issued a public appeal for people to lay down arms.
Despite these repeated efforts, only a small number of weapons were surrendered, raising concerns about ongoing militarisation and security challenges in the state.
Since the violence erupted in Manipur, more than 250 people have been killed, and over 60,000 have been displaced. The state remains deeply divided, with physical and social barriers separating communities – members of the Kuki-Zo community are unable to enter the capital, Imphal, while Meiteis cannot travel to hill districts.