Report on Arms Proliferation and Modification in Manipur: A Threat to Sustainable Development

A recent report from Manipur, dated July 13, 2025, indicates a severe escalation in the region’s ethnic conflict, posing a direct threat to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Undermining SDG 16: Proliferation of Illicit and Modified Arms

The ongoing conflict is being exacerbated by the modification of looted weapons, which fundamentally undermines efforts to promote peaceful and inclusive societies. Officials report that ethnic insurgent groups from both the Meitei and Kuki communities are actively converting standard firearms into makeshift sniper rifles to increase their range and lethality for use against opposing communities.

• Over 6,000 weapons were looted from police armouries in 2023, a significant failure in securing state institutions and maintaining the rule of law as per SDG 16.
• Looted weapons include .303 rifles, AK assault rifles, and INSAS rifles.
• Modifications, such as adding specialized telescopes, are designed to transform these arms into long-range weapons for targeted attacks, further fueling violence and insecurity.

Impact on SDG 11 and SDG 9: Destruction of Community Infrastructure

The conflict has led to the destructive repurposing of public infrastructure, a major setback for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Rather than contributing to development, local resources and skills are being diverted for destructive purposes.

1. Community members have uprooted electric poles and galvanised iron (GI) water pipes to manufacture indigenous cannons, known as ‘pumpi’ or ‘bampi’.
2. This destruction of essential infrastructure makes communities less safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3. Village blacksmiths (‘Thih-Kheng Pa’) are reportedly manufacturing these weapons, representing a diversion of local industry and skills away from productive economic activity and towards conflict, contrary to the principles of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

State Response and Efforts to Restore Order

Security forces, including Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary units, are conducting operations to reclaim the illicit arms and mitigate the threat. These actions are a critical component of restoring peace and strengthening institutions in line with SDG 16.

• June Operations: 328 weapons were recovered from Meitei dominated areas in the Imphal Valley.
• July Operations: 203 arms were recovered from Kuki dominated hill areas.
• Types of Recovered Weapons: The seizures included a range of sophisticated and improvised arms:
  • INSAS rifles
  • AK series rifles
  • Self Loading Rifles (SLR)
  • Modified sniper rifles
  • Grenade launchers
  • Pistols and country-made rifles

The Human Toll: A Violation of SDG 3

The conflict’s most profound impact is on human life, directly contravening SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The escalating violence and increasing lethality of weapons have resulted in significant loss of life and created a pervasive climate of fear, severely affecting the physical and mental well-being of the population.

• The clashes have claimed 260 lives since they began in 2023.
• The development of sniper capabilities and powerful improvised explosives indicates an intent for deadlier, long-distance combat, which will inevitably lead to further casualties and undermine the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s central theme is the violent ethnic conflict in Manipur, characterized by armed clashes, the use of illicit weapons, and significant loss of life. This directly relates to SDG 16, which aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The article details a breakdown of peace and security, the proliferation of illegal arms looted from state armouries, and the response of security institutions, all of which are core components of SDG 16.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article directly addresses this target by reporting that the ethnic clashes “have claimed 260 lives so far.” The mention of insurgent groups modifying weapons to “increase their range and lethality” further highlights the ongoing and escalating violence that this target seeks to reduce.
2. Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.
   • This target is relevant as the article focuses on the problem of illicit arms. It states that “more than 6,000 weapons [were] looted from police armouries” and are now being used by insurgent groups. The efforts by “Manipur Police and other security forces” to recover these weapons (“recovered 328 weapons” and “203 arms”) are direct actions aimed at reducing illicit arms flows.
3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
   • The article demonstrates the relevance of this target by describing the actions of national security institutions. The “police along with the Assam Rifles and other Paramilitary forces” are shown to be actively working to “pose a new challenge to security forces” by confiscating and recovering weapons. This highlights the role and capacity of these institutions in combating crime and attempting to prevent further violence.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. For Target 16.1:
   • Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population): The article provides a direct data point for this indicator by stating the conflict has “claimed 260 lives so far.” This figure is a direct measure of the death rate related to the violence discussed.
2. For Target 16.4:
   • Indicator 16.4.2 (Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced): The article provides concrete numbers that can be used for this indicator. It mentions that over “6,000 weapons [were] looted” and that security forces have “recovered 328 weapons” and “203 arms” in specific operations. These figures allow for the measurement of seized arms against the total known illicit arms.
3. For Target 16.a:
   • Implied Indicator (Operational capacity of security institutions): While not a formal UN indicator, the article implies a measure of institutional capacity. The description of security forces conducting “simultaneous operations across five districts” and successfully recovering hundreds of weapons (“328 weapons” and “203 arms”) serves as a qualitative indicator of the functioning and effectiveness of national institutions in responding to the security crisis.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thehindu.com