Imphal: A 45 kg unexploded artillery shell suspected to be of World War II was found on Thursday and safely disposed of by a bomb disposal squad in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Saturday.
Manipur Police said the shell was discovered on August 28 around 4:30 pm at Khangabok Part-3 Makha Leikai when earth was being unloaded from a tipper truck at the residence of one Moirangthem Nabachandra.
The soil was collected from the bank of the Heirok river.
Following the recovery, a case was registered at Thoubal police station. The Bomb Disposal Squad of Manipur Police transported the artillery and safely neutralised it at Langathel Chingol after taking all necessary precautionary measures.
“This was a heavy shell that could have caused massive damage if mishandled. Luckily, it was detected in safe moment,” a senior police officer said.
Experts described the device as a large-calibre artillery shell consistent with munitions used during the 1940s campaigns in northeast India.
The discovery has again highlighted Manipur’s connection in the history of the Battle of Imphal (March–July 1944), which, along with the Battle of Kohima, marked a decisive turning point in the Burma Campaign of World War II.
“Manipur was at the heart of one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War,” said a historian in Imphal. “The Imphal Valley saw air raids, artillery bombardments, and hand-to-hand combat. It is not surprising that remnants like unexploded shells still surface even after 80 years.”
“If anyone comes across such suspicious objects, they must not attempt to move them. Report immediately to the nearest police station,” the Thoubal district administration advised the people.
