Killing three birds with one stone : May 3rd and subsequent days of carnage in Manipur

Laiphrakpam ongbee Nirmala Laishram *

Manipur has been burning for the past one month or so. The magic wand cum healing balm of Shri Amit Shah, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister of India, who visited Manipur (29 May to 01 June 2023), the first visit by any Union Minister of India post ethnic violence on May 3rd and afterwards, is not making any desired impact on ground, instead the terrorist activities by Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and Myanmar origin terrorists are becoming bolder and louder as the days goes by.

Relentless violent terrorist activities by Kuki militant groups firing with snipers, automatic and area weapons against innocent defenceless Meitei communities living in the outer periphery of the valley adjoining Kuki settlements is a daily affair (See Map). Fatal casualties and injuries are mounting day by day.

Simultaneously there are blockades of the two National Highways viz. NH-2 (Imphal-Kohima-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Noney-Jiribam) by Chin-Kuki community, hampering movement of essential commodities, fuel, oil, LPG and life saving medicines. It was Shri Amit Shah who requested the Chin-Kukis to open the NH-2 (the only life line connecting Manipur to mainland India) for transportation of essential goods, signifying blockade of the highways, is their birthrights.

A close analysis of ethnic carnage of 3rd May and afterwards carried out by a particular tribal community was well planned, deliberated and executed actions. Carried out under the camouflage “Solidarity March by ATSUM” on May 3rd, 2023 against demand of Scheduled Tribe status by Meitei community the Chin-Kukis (predominantly migrants from Myanmar) with Kuki militant groups under SoO and Myanmar origin Kuki terrorists created upheaval by firing and burning houses of Meitei villages in the outskirts of Bishnupur district adjoining Churachandpur district.

Thereafter, it spread like a wildfire along all the villages in outer periphery of Imphal valley (See Map). The carnage carried out by Kuki terrorists have many hidden motives and agendas. The stake holders are Kuki illegal immigrants, Kuki militant groups under SoO, Chin-Kuki terrorists from Myanmar (KNA, KNF and PDF), drug mafias including important personalities who are in their payroll in the form of kickbacks and lastly Hamams (fence sitters) comprising political opponents within and outside the ruling party and other novices from all fields who want change of Chief Minister and some wanting to enter political arena solely to achieve their personal agendas. These Hamams, purely looking for their personal gains, are against the present Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh who perceives his style of leadership as auto-directive.

A look of the map (see inbox) reveals that foothills all around Imphal Valley are predominantly occupied and surrounded by the Chin-Kukis which are marked with faded red roundels. The outer periphery is occupied by other tribes viz. Tangkhul, Maram, Rongmei, Paite, Kom, Lamkang, Gangte, Thangal, Monsang, Anal, Poumai Naga, Rongmei, Maring, Mao to name a few besides some Kukis and few Meiteis who had settled prior to 1960.

Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960 (MLRLR Act) came into effect wherein as per the Act Meitei community are not permitted to settle in Tribal areas (outer periphery as shown in the map). As per 1951 census of Manipur the percentage of indigenous Kuki community was miniscule. However, there has been unchecked large influx of illegal Chin-Kukis to Manipur from Burma (now Myanmar) through 390 km long porous Myanmar border sharing with Manipur and this unabetted migration increased manifold after taking over of Myanmar by the military junta in 1974.

From 2015 onwards post intense crackdown against various militant groups in Myanmar, the two Myanmar origin militant groups viz. KNF-B (Kuki National Front-Burma) and PDF (Peoples Democratic Front) shifted their base to Manipur.

The above actions resulted large cross pollination between indigenous Kukis and migrant Myanmar based Chin-Kukis thereby, their population increased exponentially. Initially the migrant Kukis tried expanding their areas of influence towards Naga and other tribes inhabited areas resulting into Naga-Chin Kuki clashes followed with Paite Tribes in early 90s and late 90s, however suffered setbacks.

The migrant Chin-Kukis are responsible for shifting the drug base from Golden Triangle to hilly areas of Manipur for poppy cultivation, drug manufacturing and their supply to other regions. In turn the drug mafias kept the Kuki militant groups and other key functionaries in their pay roll as protection fees. However, the war on drugs campaign by the present regime headed by Shri N Biren Singh hurt these stake holders as supply of drug money dried up.

The problem was compounded with eviction of Chin-Kukis illegal settlements from reserved forest areas and uneasiness created amongst migrant Kukis, post strong demand for implementation of NRC based on 1951 census. This was followed by abrogation of CF by the State Govt with some Kuki militant groups in April 2023, the action was not taken well. With all these problems brewing, the stake holders in nexus with the Hamams exploited the order of Manipur High Court regarding demand of Meitei community as Scheduled Tribe.

The “Solidarity March by ATSUM” was used as a tool by artificially triggering carnage in Manipur using militant groups and migrant Chin-Kukis as means on 03 May 2023 and subsequent days, which continues till date. The action has KILLED THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. These are:

- Will prevent continuance of “war on drugs,” campaign by the State Govt, thereby facilitate continuation of unabetted poppy plantations and manufacturing of drugs, in turn the SoO militant groups and other stake holders will continue to get the drug money. A win-win situation for all.
- Will pause eviction drive of illegal settlements from reserved forest areas.
- Implementation of NRC based on 1951 census will be at the backburner.
- Demand for Scheduled Tribe status by Meitei community will be a non-starter for the time being.
- Tested the water for expansion for Kuki dominance and influence towards the valley of Manipur and in turn will demand for breaking the unity of Manipur or a separate autonomous region.
- The Hamams will exploit their personal agendas if there is change in Chief Minister of Manipur. Some of these Hamams were responsible for spreading false information in social media regarding incapability of present Chief Minister in handling crisis while it was brewing up in Churachandpur district.

Recommendations

a) Carry out relentless operations against Kuki militants who are perpetuating violence on daily basis to bring confidence amongst innocent villagers. If necessary, abrogate SoO immediately, as adequate warnings have been given to them.

b) As per Mr Kuldip Singh, Security Advisor to the Govt of Manipur, all weapons are accounted for in SoO designated camps. This statement when corroborated with the fact about daily firing of automatic and sniper weapons against Meitei villagers establishes presence of Myanmar origin KNF(B) and PDF terrorists in Manipur, pushed out by the Burmese Military Junta. This fact is further confirmed by eyewitnesses having seen ‘LUNGI’ clad militants indulging in violent activities in Manipur. A full fledged operation needs to be undertaken to flush them out from their hideouts and eliminate them, else push them back to Myanmar. The action may need taking confidence of Myanmar’s ruling regime. Simultaneously investigate if there is involvement of foreign hands. As the situation is grim, it must not be swept under the carpet.

c) Ensure dynamic deployment of Security Forces for application of effective combat power against SoO abrogators and Myanmar origin terrorists groups. Reshuffle counter insurgency / counter terrorists grid as per threat analysis, instead of confining to a particular area.

d) Instil confidence in the public and ensure early settlement of evicted villagers to their original place of residence. Create and place Village Defence Forces (VDF) in vulnerable areas, besides positioning requisite state/central security forces.

e) Carry out a detailed investigation as to who all were responsible for inciting, igniting, committing and supporting the violence. Identify lapses on the part of Government machinery to include executives, legislatures, law enforcing and intelligence agencies for not taking timely steps to prevent the unfortunate violence and for not controlling the violence early after it started on 3rd May. Pinpoint responsibility/apportion blame against the person(s) concerned and heads must roll according to the lapses accordingly.

f) Investigate who are the Hamams involved in tacitly supporting and inciting violence, and initiate stringent legal actions against them.

g) Relentlessly continue with the campaign ‘War on Drugs’, alongside eviction of illegal settlements of Chin-Kuki immigrants.

h) Ensure early implementation of NRC based on 1951 census in Manipur.

i) The Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah must abide to his statement that there will be no compromise to the integrity of Manipur and must not come under pressure and succumb to the demand of Hamams and fringe elements.

j) Create Unified Command at Strategic and Operational level. The former may be headed by the Governor or Chief Minister and the later by a retired senior ranking security personnel, preferably an Army Officer who has adequate exposure to counter insurgency/counter terrorists operations.

k) Establish a safe, secured, reliable and all-weather lines of communication to Imphal, the State Capital. National Highway 37 is a better choice as the alignment runs entirely through Manipur. Create a sizeable and strong National Highway Protection Force on similar line to Railway Protection Force. Stringent punitive actions must be taken against anyone who indulges in blockade of National Highways. Enact law as non-bailable for such offences.

l) Ensure time bound fencing of 1600 km long Indo-Myanmar border. This must be undertaken on a war footing for early sealing of border. Deploy security forces on permanent basis along Indo- Myanmar border as recommended in Subrahamanyam Committee Report.

m) No knee jerk actions by the ruling party at the Centre in changing the leadership of ruling Govt in Manipur. The present incumbent Shri N Biren Singh must be permitted to continue till the situation stabilizes and not fall into the traps of Hamams by changing him.

n) Continue with proper examination of Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe status as per law and facts as per history.

o) Revoke Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960. Permit Meitei tribe to settle in all areas of Manipur.