Intel leak and reaction
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 28, 2024 -

WHAT is really happening in Manipur today?

Even before the panic-stricken public could really wrap their heads around the joint statement issued by the Union Home Ministry-appointed security advisor to Manipur and chairman of the Unified Command Kuldiep Singh and Director of General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh to backtrack on their earlier confirmation of an intelligence report about the infiltration of more than 900-armed Kuki-Chin militants "trained in jungle warfare and use of weaponised drones" into Manipur from neighbouring Myanmar with the intent of carrying out coordinated attacks on Meetei villages in the periphery possibly around September 28, another secret communication regarding possible cross-border smuggling of contraband including arms, ammunition and drugs has come to the public domain.

Dated September 25, this secret communication sent from the office of Superintendent of Police (SP), Tengnoupal to the CO of 5 Assam Rifles, Moreh for "kind information and necessary action", conveyed that it has been "reliably learnt" that cadres of Kuki National Army (KNA), which is one of the Kuki-Chin armed groups under the agreement of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Government of India, will be escorting arms, ammunition and drugs from Myanmar through Haolenphai and T Minou area in Moreh.

Apart from the fact that this highly confidential piece of information was sent from office of SP, Tengnoupal to the CO of 5 Assam Rifles in Moreh on the same day the security advisor and the DGP jointly issued their official statement "clarifying" that the intelligence input of infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants from Myanmar to carry out attacks on Meeteis on September 28 was "verified from different quarters, but it could not be substantiated on ground", it has become viral on social media after Kuki-Chin leader Dr Lamtinthang Haokip shared a screenshot of the message marked as 'Secret' on his X account with the comment, "Yet another malicious attempt by @BJP4India, @AmitShah and @NBirnSingh to demonise the #TribalKukis through fake, lies, hatred, propaganda or unverified information...".

As we have pointed out in our news report, there has been no official confirmation (till the time of writing this editorial) on whether the intelligence input was true or fake.

But the leaked correspondence between the two security agencies has definitely raised some serious questions on the accountability of security agencies deployed in Manipur to contain the now over 16 months long ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Chin and Meetei communities in Manipur.

How could a secret communication between office of SP, Tengnoupal and the CO of 5 Assam Rifles in Moreh get leaked and reach the social media within 24 hours?

Is it a ploy to give an opportunity to those trying to carry out the illegal activities to change their plan or choose an alternative route?

While there are many questions that need to be answered; it is interesting to note that Stephen Kuki, who is the under-secretary, department of information and publicity of KNO/KNA, has already issued a clarification denouncing the "secret communication" as baseless and concocted story just to tarnish the image of KNA.

Stating that KNA had firm stand against smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition since it came under the SoO with the Government of India, the armed outfit has also appealed to the public not to be misled by the "cheap propaganda of the present communal Manipur Government and its machineries' and warned that SP Tengnoupal should be held responsible for any untoward incidents.

Despite this, why the roads leading to Haolenphai and T Minou area in Moreh have been dug up using heavy machineries and prevented security forces from moving around in their vehicles for area domination and surveillance?

Just as they were quick enough to cry foul when the intelligence input of infiltration of well-trained militants from Myanmar surfaced, the latest incident of digging up roads to prevent movement of security forces to check illegal activities in border areas has once again highlighted the irrationality of Kuki-Chin people calling themselves Indian citizens.