Manipur: 42-year-old man arrested with illegal firearm in Imphal West

Short Summary

A 42-year-old man, Warepam Shanta Singh of Kanglatombi Bazar Board, Imphal West, was arrested during a routine naka (roadblock) checking by Manipur Police on Friday. Officers recovered a 9 mm pistol, one magazine loaded with six rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and a mobile phone with an active SIM card from his possession. A case under Section 3/25 of the Arms Act, 1959 has been registered, and

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Ever Wonder What a Simple Roadblock Can Reveal?

Picture this: you’re cruising down Kanglatombi Bazar Road, windows down, music playing, when suddenly you see flashing blue lights. A naka checking—routine, right? But sometimes, routine is where the extraordinary happens. On that ordinary Friday evening, officers at one such checkpoint in Imphal West district uncovered something that could have spelled disaster for public safety: an unauthorized 9 mm pistol hidden in plain sight. Who would’ve thought a quick vehicle stop could unearth a loaded weapon? Yet, that’s exactly what went down when Warepam Shanta Singh was intercepted—and it serves as a powerful reminder: never underestimate the humble roadblock

Meet the Man in Question: Warepam Shanta Singh

So, who is Warepam Shanta Singh? A 42-year-old resident of Kanglatombi Bazar Board, he might have blended into the neighborhood crowd—except for the firearm tucked at his waist. According to police records, Singh appeared calm when officers asked him to step aside for a search. But that calm demeanor masked something serious: in his possession was a fully operational 9 mm pistol, ready to fire six rounds. He also carried a mobile phone, possibly used to coordinate with unseen associates, and its SIM card is now under scrutiny by cyber teams. It’s the small details—like the SIM—that often unravel bigger stories of organized crime or insurgent supply chains

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is Section 3/25 of the Arms Act?
Section 3 prohibits possession of unlicensed firearms; Section 25 sets punishment—up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both—for such violations under Section 3

2. How do nakas help prevent crime?
Naka checks allow police to inspect vehicles and occupants at choke points, deterring and intercepting illegal activity—drugs, arms, and more—through direct searches and identity verification

3. What happens to the seized firearm?
It’s cataloged as evidence, undergoes ballistic testing to check for past use in crimes, and is held safe until court orders its final disposal or destruction.

4. Could this arrest link to insurgent groups?
Investigators are probing whether Singh’s weapon came from insurgent caches—past operations in Manipur have revealed arms supplied to groups like PLA and UNLF

5. How safe is Imphal West after this bust?
While no single arrest eradicates crime, this operation boosts deterrence. Continued naka checks, intelligence-led raids, and community cooperation are key to sustaining safety.