Manipur's border battles: Unravelling a deeper conflict

Chuipam Ningshen *

The ongoing heavy exchange of fire between the Manipur based armed groups and the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA- B) on the Indo-Myanmar border has raised a plethora of questions.

The heavy exchange of fire between the rebel groups near the Indo-Myanmar border Pillar No. 87 and adjoining areas in between Kamjong District and the Kabaw Valley of Myanmar has resulted in heavy casualties on both sides with media reports estimating it to be more than 20. This exchange of fire, which began on January 27 (2025) and continues intermittently, is not the first such clash and likely will not be the last.

There have been instances of confrontations between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA- B) since last year leading to casualties on both sides. Owing to several factors at play, the NSCN-IM has directed Kuki villages within its jurisdiction to refrain from engaging or collaborating with the KNA-B, warning of serious consequences for violations.

On these confrontations across the Indo-Myanmar international border, many inclu- ding the villagers on the porous border, rebel groups, and civil society organizations had even accused the Indian Security forces particularly the Assam Rifles of involvement though they had flatly denied the allegations.

It may also be mentioned that recently the NSCN-IM had accused the Ukhrul SP of supplying materials to Kuki militants at Molhang village in the Kangpokpi district. The NSCN-IM had even stood its ground when the Mani-pur police rejected the allegations.

It might be due to this notion against the armed forces that they were allegedly stopped by women folks in the valley from traveling to the border areas. This is not surprising given the fact that certain groups have accused the security forces of providing training deep in the Myanmar territory last year.

The Naga civil societies had even questioned the security forces when the security forces thwarted the supposed training camps of Naga village volunteers in the Naga-dominated districts last year. However, one of the most pressing questions is the internal conflict among the various armed groups under the Kuki-Zo umbrella.

Media reports indicate that there have been disputes among these groups in Churachandpur district. The United Kuki National Army (UKNA), an armed group based in Churachandpur District, has publicly voiced its dissatisfaction with the civil bodies and other armed groups, claiming they are undermining the UKNA’s efforts.

In a statement, the UKNA asserted that it has been actively engaged in the conflict from its positions in Songpi, Lamka, yet has not targeted any rival groups. The UKNA questioned why other groups appeared envious of its presence and stated that it is fighting for the rights to its land and future.

The group urged civil organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and Kuki Inpi, along with other armed groups, to cease undermining their efforts and warned of serious consequences if this behavior continues.

Media sources also reported that there has been disgruntlement and anguish, particularly in Churachandpur, against the ITLF and the civil bodies for “sending village volunteers” to Myanmar to join the KNA-B. It reported that families of the victims were not informed of their sons joining the KNA-B which is in confrontation with the military junta.

Sources said that the families only came to know their village volunteers’ involvement when the valley- based armed groups released the identity of the KNA-B cadres killed in the ensuing confrontation. The Manipur-based armed groups have identified some of the KNA-B cadres who were killed in the ensuing fight as allegedly belonging to Churachandpur through Aadhaar cards found on them.

It is also reported that dead bodies have not been recovered so far owing to the presence of the Manipur-based armed groups and airstrikes from the Myanmar military junta. Another intriguing factor is the involvement of the KNA-B which was earlier little known on the Indian side of the border. However, there have been accusations of the involvement of illegal Kuki immigrants from Myanmar in the Manipur conflict.

There had also been drone footage of alleged Kuki immigrants from Myanmar wearing longyi dresses usually worn by Burmese. Another supposed evidence of the involvement of KNA-B is their alleged request for help from their brethren on the Indian side of the border which certain media outlets have reported.

The KNA-B was reported to have asked their brethren on the Indian side to assist them saying they need “supplies”. This emergence of the KNA-B in the picture has raised another dimension to the already complicated situation in strife-torn Manipur State.

Notably, suspected KNA-B cadres allegedly abducted and killed one Vaiphei man who was reportedly a former member of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM). According to reliable sources, suspected KNA-B cadres kidnapped the alleged victim, Jam-thang Vaiphei (60) hailing from Salampaton village, on January 25, 2025. He was visiting his brother, Lammang Vaiphei, in Galngam Veng, Moreh, at the time.

The suspected KNA-B cadres demanded a sum of Rs 5 lakh for his release but killed him while his family struggled to meet their demand. Now the question is, “Are the Kukis including the Myanmar-based KNA-B fighting on both sides of the border? How come the KNA-B cadres which are supposedly based in Myanmar have Aadhaar cards that are meant exclusively for Indians ?

Does this prove now that CM N Biren Singh’s statements that the Manipur Government is fighting against illegal immigrants are proving to be true ? Or do these developments answer the disproportionate growth of the population of certain communities in the State ?

Or are we undermining certain communities including the Hmar, Zomi, and other smaller communities that do not want to be categorized under the broad ‘Kuki-Zo’ group ?” A million questions to ponder.