Amid fragile peace in Manipur, 500 insurgents held across North-East in 2025

Amid long-drawn ethnic violence in Manipur and volatile situation prevailing along the India-Myanmar border -- which passes through it as well as other north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland -- the security forces apprehended more than 500 insurgents and overground workers (OGWs); and seized 4,000 kg of explosives, 1,800 arms and 23,000 rounds of ammunition from the region in 2025.

According to sources within the security spectrum, during the year, several high impact operations were launched by the forces in the North-East, mainly in Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, which resulted in the recovery of a huge haul of arms and ammunition.

Drug menace is also one of the main areas of concern in the region, with illegal poppy plantations flourishing in Manipur, especially in the regions bordering Myanmar. Home Minister Amit Shah has been flagged it as the next big challenge.

In 2025, 3,000 kg of narcotics were seized from the aforementioned states, while 1,900 grenades, more than 300 bombs and scores of rockets, 1,400 IEDs and 20,000 detonators and a significant number of gelatine sticks were also recovered by the forces.

While there has been a reduction in the number of violent incidents in Manipur, peace has remained fragile. In this month alone, incidents of explosions have rocked the troubled state. While there was a bomb explosion at a fuel station in Bishnupur district of Manipur, an explosion also occurred in an abandoned house in the same district in the first week of this month.

With several militant groups, who are part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, currently advised to remain within their designated camps and return all the weapons that they had looted during the almost three-year ethnic strife, the huge haul of arms and ammunition gives an indication that the situation continues to be fluid not just in Manipur, but even in neighbouring states of the region, said sources aware of the developments.