Has appeasement policy of Central Govt towards Kuki Militant Groups in Manipur backfired ?

Nirmala Laishram *

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes between two warring tribes of Chin -Kukis and Meiteis for the last one month and there appears to be no immediate solution in the foreseeable future. The role of various Kuki militant groups in keeping the ‘Pot Boiling’ at the right temperature which include rampant firing on daily basis against defenceless Meitei villagers appears to be masterminded by some influential personnel and indulgence of foreign hand cannot be ruled out.

The Kuki militant groups KNA (Kuki National Army) and KNF (Kuki National Front) were formed in the 1990s post Naga-Chin Kuki ethnic clashes. Initially, equipped with primitive weapons like single and double barrel guns, bolt action rifles and earlier tacitly considered by Security Forces as a countervailing force against Naga insurgent groups, viz-NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K).

Subsequently, other Kuki militant organizations like Kuki Independent Army, Thadou Revolutionary Army, Kuki Revolutionary Army (Hansing Clan), Zhoumi Revolutionary Front and Kuki Defence Force were formed to protect their own clans. The source of finance for these insurgent groups are through poppy cultivations, illegal tax collections and extortion.

The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed between various Kuki militant groups and Government of India has in fact acted as a catalyst in recouping these groups by way of consolidation and procurement of modern small arms including snipers and area weapons. Thus, the appeasement policy by the Central Government, has in fact failed, instead benefited the Kuki militant groups under SoO.

Post military crack-down in Asia’s Golden Triangle, once a safe haven for drug mafias, against drug lords, the base has shifted to hilly region of Manipur neighbouring Myanmar. These Myanmar’s Chin-Kukis started poppy plantations, manufacture and supply of heroin, with the blessings of Kuki militants with assurance of getting large amount of these drug money.

Besides, large deforestations, the illegal immigrants started settling in reserved forest areas. This is reinforced by the fact that Churachandpur’s Khoupum protected forest area once free from settlement, now has more than 30 villages which prove to be illegal settlements and their residents’ “encroachers”.

The “War on Drugs” against illegal poppy cultivations, manufacturing, with eviction of encroachment from forest land, by present ruling Govt of Manipur has hurt both the illegal Chin-Kuki migrants of Myanmar and the Kuki militant groups as their major source of finance has dried up. Combined to this is demand by various groups for implementation of NRC based on 1951 Census.

With these uncertainties the Kuki militant groups and illegal Chin-Kuki migrants exploited the solidarity march of May 3rd against demand for inclusion of Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list by terrorising the innocent defenceless Meitei villagers, killing them, looting and burning their houses, initially at Torbung village and later in all areas of Meitei villages in Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West and Sadar Hills.

The unfortunate incident has led to loss of more than 100 lives, injuries to 500 plus people, 5,000 plus houses burnt and more than 40,000 people have been rendered homeless, staying in makeshift rehabilitation shelters including shelter camp in Myanmar.

To keep their agenda of illegal drug cultivation and occupation of forested areas alive, the fanatic groups are terrorising the defenceless Meitei villagers by firing indiscriminately on daily basis so as to divert attention of the Manipur Govt from actual issues.

The Kuki militant groups are repeatedly violating the cease fire ground rules (CFGR) by leaving their designated camps, establishing satellite fresh designated camps and terrorising defenceless Meitei villagers including women, children and elderly people. However, the Central Govt is turning a blind eye to all these happenings.

The Indian Army, Central Para Military Forces (including Assam Rifles) and Central Police Organisations deployed in Manipur are in fact helpless as they have to abide by CFGR. Despite all these inputs, the statement made by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan that the violence in Manipur is not insurgency related, instead it is an ethnic fight between Chin-Kukis and Meiteis is unfortunate and unexpected from a career soldier who has served in Manipur as a Brigade Commander, commanded a Corps and Eastern Command in Eastern Region.

The Security Forces are expected to rein in and initiate punitive actions against Kuki militant groups who have repeatedly violated CFGR, which is one of the important mandates given to Security Forces deployed in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism role. The dictum of Mao “Peace comes through barrel of a gun” must be followed, the only language these ruthless narco-terrorists understand.

The Union Home Minister, Mr Amit Shah, who was in Manipur must take immediate punitive action against these militant groups by abrogating the SoO pact before it is too late. If permitted to be continued, the situation may go out of hand and may turn into a civil war.