Arms, Grenade found in Churachandpur as Manipur searches continue

The Manipur Police on Saturday said they recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Churachandpur district, underscoring continuing security challenges in the state despite sustained deployment of forces.

A senior police officer said the recovery was made on Friday from the Khuga Dam area. Items seized during the operation included one locally-made rifle, three pistol magazines, a bomb, a grenade, two hand-held wireless sets and four improvised explosive devices, among other materials. No arrests have been made in connection with the seizure so far, police said.

Security forces are continuing search operations and area domination exercises in fringe and vulnerable locations across multiple districts, the police said, adding that such operations remain critical to preventing fresh incidents.

Manipur has remained tense since ethnic violence broke out between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023. The clashes have left more than 260 people dead and thousands displaced, prompting large-scale security deployments and frequent arms recovery operations across both hill and valley districts. Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-dominated district, has figured repeatedly in such searches amid concerns over the spread of illegal weapons.

The Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, 2025 , following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, placing the state assembly which has a tenure till 2027 under suspended animation. President Droupadi Murmu was in Manipur on December 12, 2025 , as part of her visit aimed at outreach and confidence-building amid the prolonged unrest. Her visit followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state in September 2025 , his first since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. Despite these high-level engagements, recoveries such as the latest arms seizure suggest the security situation remains fragile, with officials indicating that the potential for renewed disturbances persists if vigilance is eased.

Officials said search operations will continue as part of efforts to restore normalcy and prevent any resurgence of violence in the state.