Manipur Security Forces Dismantle 167 Bunkers in Major Crackdown on Militancy

In a determined effort to restore peace and order in violence-hit Manipur, security forces have dismantled a total of 167 bunkers used by armed miscreants across multiple districts in the state. This significant step follows a call by Governor Ajay Bhalla in late February, urging for a peaceful resolution to the prolonged ethnic unrest.

The bunkers were located and destroyed in several sensitive regions, including Churachandpur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, and Tamenglong. The operations intensified after Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued a March 8 deadline to reopen roads that had remained blocked—either partially or completely—since the outbreak of ethnic violence nearly two years ago.

These bunkers, often hidden in forested or hilly terrains, were not just defensive structures but active nodes used for ambushes, illegal arms storage, and territorial control. Their destruction is being seen as a critical milestone in breaking the stronghold of armed groups, some of whom operated along routes connecting to Mizoram and Myanmar—borders known for porous and unregulated crossings.

Crackdown on Arms and Explosives

Alongside bunker demolition, security forces have also launched an aggressive arms recovery drive. According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), a total of 1,240 looted firearms have been recovered since the Governor’s appeal for surrendering illegal weapons.

The numbers also include:

• 12,677 rounds of ammunition

• 405 grenades

• 316 crude bombs

• 19 improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

This large cache indicates the scale of militarization in civilian areas during the conflict and raises concerns over how deeply entrenched these parallel armed networks had become.

Ethnic Tensions and the Need for Mobility

A key component of the current effort has been the reopening of roads and restoring free movement between communities. For example, Churachandpur, one of the worst-hit districts, had become almost cut off from Imphal due to Meitei-Kuki hostilities. Many from the Kuki community had resorted to traveling to Mizoram or through Myanmar instead of risking passage through Imphal-controlled areas.

An official noted that there are several kachha (unpaved) roads connecting Churachandpur with both Mizoram and Myanmar—routes that were being exploited for tactical movement and possibly even arms smuggling during the peak of the clashes.

Analysis: An Ongoing but Vital Effort

The dismantling of bunkers and recovery of weapons mark a clear message from the central government: armed militias and self-styled protection groups will no longer be tolerated.

While these actions are commendable, the real challenge lies ahead—healing the deep ethnic fault lines between the Meitei and Kuki communities, and ensuring displaced people feel secure enough to return home. Without a long-term reconciliation plan, security operations alone may only provide temporary relief.

Nevertheless, the current crackdown shows that the state is finally pushing back, asserting control, and trying to reclaim spaces that had effectively turned into lawless zones. For Manipur, this could be the beginning of a long road back to peace.