Intense search operations amid rampant extortion
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 20, 2025 -

SUBSEQUENT to the imposition of President’s Rule in the state on February 13 there has been notable intensity in search operations launched by security forces in both the hill and valley districts resulting in arrest of cadres as well as over-ground members of various armed outfits.

Apart from netting ordinary cadres in the course of the extensive search operations, security forces have arrested some important figures of armed outfits such as a 70-year of chairman of the KK Nganba faction of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party and the finance secretary of non-SoO United Kuki National Army, thereby ringing out the message to all concerned that imposition of the President’s Rule is not only intended to provide time to the BJP legislators to iron out their differences and stake claim to form the new government within the six-month period but to effectively maintain law and order.

While there is no disclosure about recovery of cash, if any, from either the chairman of the KCP faction or the finance secretary of UKNA, apprehension of a KNF-P cadre namely Lamkhogin Dimngel (38), by security forces including 19 Garhwal Rifles stationed in Churachandpur along with Rs 34,20,000 cash and two soap cases containing suspected brown sugar weighing 24 gm in total, among other items, underscores that extortion activities and illegal drug trade remain the main challenge for security forces as well sources of revenue for armed outfits, either actively involved in the Kuki-Meetei conflict or are simply in existence to amass wealth extracted from the public, work agencies, educational institutions, government establishments and the business community.

On the other-hand, even if there were no insurgency-related incidents like shootouts between armed cadres of banned outfits and security forces, for nearly 20 months since the ethnic clash broke out, it’s an undeniable fact there has been significant increase in extortion cases.

In fact, extortion is the primary reason for business establishments downing shutters and shop owners and salespersons staging sit-in demonstrations almost on a daily basis to denounce unaffordable extortion demands.

Thus, it is possible that the slew of arrests made in the first few days of the central government taking over charge of the state’s affairs could be attributed to disgruntled traders and others affected by the extortion spree ultimately deciding to extend cooperation of the security agencies rather than succumbing to pressure tactics of the extorters.

After sharp decline in insurgency-related incidents in the first term of the BJP government, outbreak of the Kuki-Meetei conflict on May 3, 2023 not only created a volatile situation but also led to spike in threat and extortion cases in the valley districts.

With extortion or 'loyalty tax’ being the main source of funding for almost all the armed organisations waging war against the establishment, placing live rounds and explosives at residences of wealthier section of the society had been the norm in case these individuals do not comply with the monetary demand served.

Therefore, it could be comprehended that for at-least the six months of President’s Rule will see intensification of search operations to recover the weapons looted from armouries of state forces as well as contain extortion activities.