Manipur DGP Warns Armed Miscreants of Strict Action, Says 70% of Looted Weapons Recovered

Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh has issued a stern warning to individuals carrying illegal weapons, stating that anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands or attack security personnel will face strict legal action as authorities intensify efforts to restore normalcy in the violence-hit state.

Addressing a press conference after his first visit to Churachandpur district on Saturday, Singh said that nearly 70 per cent of the weapons looted during the ethnic unrest have been recovered , marking a significant step in ongoing security operations.

"Anyone with arms who tries to take laws into their own hands will be dealt with very strictly. Those who try to fire at us will be dealt with in self-defence," the DGP said, adding that proactive security operations will continue until the situation returns to normal .

The warning comes amid sustained efforts by state and central security agencies to curb violence, recover illegal arms, and prevent the resurgence of insurgent and militant activities. Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic tensions since 2023, prompting a multi-layered security response involving the police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, and the Army.

Singh also highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation on social media, noting that a dedicated monitoring cell is identifying and acting against individuals and platforms spreading false content capable of triggering inter-community conflict. Authorities are also working to remove websites and online accounts deemed anti-social or anti-national.

During his visit to Bishnupur and Churachandpur , the DGP reviewed the security situation with police, paramilitary, and Army officers. According to a police statement, he chaired meetings with district police personnel, CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and civil society organisations, while commending security forces for recent drug seizures, arrests of armed miscreants, and recovery of illegal weapons .

The state government's approach has focused on a combination of law enforcement, counter-insurgency measures, disarmament drives, intelligence-based operations, and community engagement aimed at restoring peace and rebuilding public confidence in conflict-affected areas.