Manipur’s Ethnic Insurgent Groups Modify Weapons for Increased Lethality
Officials revealed that ethnic insurgent groups in Manipur from the Meitei and Kuki communities are making alterations to weapons acquired from police armouries in 2023. These modified weapons are being turned into makeshift sniper rifles to enhance their range and deadly impact.
Weapon Modifications Details
The looted arsenal included various firearms like .303 rifles, AK assault rifles, and INSAS rifles and carbines. The standard .303 rifle’s effective kill range is approximately 500 meters. By customizing the gun’s butt and attaching a specialized telescope, the range, accuracy, and lethality can be significantly increased.
On the other hand, the AK-47 is most efficient within a range of 300-400 meters. The modifications suggest a shift towards long-distance combat by these groups.
Confiscation of Altered Weapons
Before presenting a new threat to security forces, the police, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary forces intervened and confiscated these altered weapons from different districts of the Imphal valley and hills.
Recovery Operations
In June, Manipur Police and security forces recovered a total of 328 weapons in simultaneous raids across five districts of the Imphal Valley. Additionally, 203 arms were seized in the first week of July from hill areas dominated by Kuki insurgent groups.
The recovered weapons included INSAS rifles, AK series rifles, Self Loading Rifle, modified sniper rifles, grenade launchers, pistols, and country-made 0.22 rifles.
Community Response
Following clashes in 2023, where 260 lives were lost, improvised guns made from electric poles or GI pipes were seized by security agencies. The hill district community, known for their hunting traditions, began to utilize electric poles and water pipes to create weapons.
Village blacksmiths crafted indigenous cannons, dubbed ‘pumpi’ or ‘bampi’, using scrap iron and metallic items as ammunition. These cannons are operated remotely and have an element of unpredictability in their use.
Guerrilla Warfare Tactics
The hill community, skilled in guerrilla warfare, defends itself by launching surprise attacks and ambushing intruders. They have a history of using traditional weapons like swords, spears, and now, modified firearms known as ‘Thihnang’.
Additionally, they repurpose electric poles for manufacturing ‘bampi’ cannons, reinforcing their defenses against approaching threats.
