The Flow of Arms in Manipur, Sources and Networks Behind Illegal Weapons

The recent surrender of 99 weapons in Manipur, facilitated by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, highlights the extent of illegal arms circulation in the state. The weapons recovered—ranging from single-barrel rifles and mortars to pistols and IEDs—reflect the widespread availability of arms among different factions. While efforts to disarm these groups continue, a critical question remains: where are these weapons coming from?

One major source of illegal arms in Manipur is the theft and looting of police armouries. According to sources,the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 led to the looting of over 5,000 weapons and lakhs of rounds of ammunition from police stations and government stockpiles. Many of these weapons remain unaccounted for and have likely been distributed among different militant groups.Despite ongoing recovery operations, a significant number of these looted arms continue to fuel violence.

Another key source is illegal arms trafficking from Myanmar, which shares a porous and largely unguarded border with Manipur. Several insurgent groups in Myanmar, particularly those operating in the Sagaing region and Chin state, have well-established networks that smuggle weapons into India. These groups procure weapons from international arms dealers, black markets, and even surplus stockpiles from military conflicts in Southeast Asia. Reports suggest that small arms like AK-series rifles, M-16s, and grenades are transported across the border through dense forests and hidden routes, making detection difficult for security forces.

Local production of weapons is also a significant factor. Many of the arms surrendered in the latest recovery were country-made or improvised weapons, such as single-barrel rifles, mortars, and IEDs. These are often manufactured in clandestine workshops in remote areas, particularly in the hills, where access to law enforcement is limited. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and crude firearms are relatively easy to assemble with locally available materials, allowing armed groups to sustain their operations even when access to high-grade weapons is restricted.

Funding for arms procurement is another crucial aspect. Militant groups in Manipur have historically relied on extortion, drug trafficking, and external support to finance their activities. The state’s location along the notorious “Golden Triangle”,one of the world’s largest drug-producing regions provides opportunities for insurgent groups to engage in the narcotics trade, using drug profits to buy weapons. The source familiar to the issue also indicated that, illegal taxation on businesses, transport, and local communities helps these groups sustain their armed campaigns.

The recent surrender of arms is a step towards reducing violence, but as long as these supply channels remain active, disarmament efforts will face significant challenges. Assam Rifles along with the local police has been cracking down on local arms manufacturing, and smuggling along the Myanmar border. The central government is also reviewing and addressing the root causes of armed insurgency and ethnic tensions.