Recipe for making civil war a reality in Manipur

Brigadier L Ibotombi Singh *

In the epic Mahabharat, the great Bhisma and his team of learned leaders remained mute spectators when Draupadi was disrobed by Dushasana, on the orders of Duryodhana, publicly in front of the entire court of Hastinapur, for this Bhishma suffered a painful death on the bed of arrows for his "Karma," as against, "Jatayu", a bird, which fought against abduction of Sita by Ravana and died in the arms of lord Sri Ram after narrating the incident of Sita's abduction. It is for the readers to interpret who is the modern Bhisma and Duryodhana after analysing the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

After about three months of lull between the Kuki-Zo terrorists and Meitei villagers there was a massive attack on September 1, including use of third dimension in the form of drones armed with time fused grenades and mortar bombs in Koutruk, a small hamlet at the foothills of West Manipur Hills Ranges under Imphal West district.

The attack came just a few days after Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh promised to fully restore peace in the State in six months with the Centre's help, and also ruled out stepping down, saying he has neither committed a crime nor spawned a scandal.

The terrorists action led to the killing of a young woman and injuries to nine others which include an eight-year old daughter of the deceased lady and two police personnel. The terrorists also set fire to many houses, 35 vehicles including ten two-wheelers. This was followed by another drone attack in Senjam Chirang, approximately 3 kms away north of Koutruk on September 2 resulting in injuries to three individuals.

The terrorists, thereafter, shifted their attack towards South and West Manipur, wherein an elderly man was killed and six others were injured including a 13-year-old girl, after Kuki-Zo terrorists fired long range improvised rockets on a residential area of Moirang in Bishnupur district on Septmber 6 during day time. This is the second rocket that was fired in the district.

The rocket fell at a spot around two km from the INA headquarters, as per the police report and the rocket was fired from an elevated position in the nearby hill areas toward the low-lying residential locality of Tronglaobi, located around 45 kms from the State capital Imphal.

The same night, multiple drones were sighted at Naranseina, Nambol Kamong in Bishnupur district and Pukhao, Dolaithabi, Shantipur in Imphal East district creating panic in the areas, which led to residents in the outskirts to switch off the lights.

This was further followed by four militants and a civilian being killed in a fresh wave of violence in Manipur's Jiribam district on September 7 morning. The civilian was killed inside his house, and this led to a gunfight during which four terrorists were killed, as per official information.

While ethnic clashes have roiled Manipur for the last one and a half years, the situation has been extremely tense in the last seven days. What prompted the Kuki-Zo terrorists in escalating the ongoing conflict since May 3, 2023, is apparently to sensitise the international media and achieve their end results of continuance of narco-terrorism and disintegrate India's sovereignty and integrity.

The motive behind the carnage in Manipur by Kuki-Zo terrorists were outlined in stark detail (Link here) , combined with failure of the Central Government to rein in Kuki-Zo terrorists (Link here).

What is worrying is the escalation of terrorism by Kuki-Zo terrorists which include 25 Kuki terrorists armed groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) by terrorising innocent Meitei villagers on the outskirts of Imphal in Manipur almost on daily basis. In November 2023, Imphal airport was shut after an unidentified object was detected overhead. Indian Air Force planes launched a search mission could not locate the object.

But the object in question certainly did not come from outer space and certainly was the handwork of terrorists waging a war against the Government. With recent use of third dimension for acts of terrorism by Kuki-Zo terrorists, it is a warning sign and wake up call to the double engine Govt.

This time the target was a village on the outskirts of Imphal West district, tomorrow it can be the heart of Government authority like residences of State Governor, Chief Minister, the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, busy market place Khwairamband Keithel, schools, colleges and so on, the likely target is endless.

With the tentacles of Zo-Kuki terrorists networks spread all over the world, they may even procure a low yield tactical nuclear or biological or chemical weapons from rogue States like North Korea or Pakistan for use as a last resort for achieving their ultimate aim.

Equally of concern is the cyber network handlers of Zo-Kuki terrorists indulging in distortions of facts and planting false propaganda portraying Meitei community as the villain indulging in genocide in the eyes of the world through various print and electronic medias.

It is unfortunate that some of the mainland media handlers and independent writers/bloggers including veterans, apparently on the payroll of Kukis are writing for the causes of Zo-Kuki community, when on ground their armed terrorists have committed atrocities against the Meitei community on daily basis.

The immediate action required is to ban operations of all the drones in Manipur, except those used by the security forces on need basis, along with its violations, in possession or usage of drones, making it a non-bailable offences.

Equally of concern is uncheck illegal flow of all types of weapons and warlike stores from Myanmar in view of majority of Western Myanmar now under the control of ethnic Myan-marese rebels like Kachin Independent Army, Arakan Army, Karen Independence Army, Peoples Democratic Front etc. The ruling military junta has lost control over majority of Western Myanmar and the rebels are resorting to selling of captured weapons to rebel and terrorist groups operating in in India's North East States.

In April this year, huge cache of heavy caliber weapons which include ten 82 mm mortars, four 106 mm anti tank recoilless guns, ten pistols, and an impressive haul of 199 Radio Sets and Satellite Phones were recovered by combined force of Assam Rifles and State Police from Mon district of Nagaland. As per the report these weapons were to be transported to Manipur for use by Kuki-Zo terrorists.

This is supported by the fact that earlier the Kuki terrorists were restricted to use of short range area and flat trajectory weapons; but with the recent use of armed drones with long range rockets, missiles and high trajectory mortars, it clearly establishes that huge consignment of weapons has come into Manipur through porous Indo-Myanmar border. Why would China not exploit the ongoing situation in Manipur.

It may be recalled that when the US had troops in Afghanistan, China provided advisors to the Taliban as well as arms including shoulder-fired MANPADS. It is also being opined that the Manipur situation is aggravated by America's National Endowment for Democracy. There is no doubt merit in this, with veteran US Marines operating in Myanmar and especially after the US is said to have had a hand in the coup in Bangladesh recently.

(When freedom of personal liberty and life of the public of Manipur, the soul of Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, is violated by the Kuki-Zo terrorists on daily basis, the elected leaders of Manipur have failed in their duty to protect them, a mandate given by the people during State Assembly elections.

Therefore, the pendulum swings in favour of giving up the 'chair' and must fight for the freedom and personal liberty of the public. This can be achieved by tendering resignation by the Chief Minister with his entire team of MLAs and initiate actions to float a strong regional party to protect the integrity of the State and her people)

Another point of concern is the current leadership and elected leaders who are ruling the state, who, despite ongoing conflict going on since May 03rd, 2023 have not initiated any tangible actions so as to resolve it, except remaining mute spectators.

In the epic Mahabharat, the great Bhisma and his team of learned leaders remained mute spectators when Draupadi was disrobed by Dushasana, on the orders of Duryodhana, publicly in front of the entire court of Hastinapur, for this Bhishma suffered a painful death on the bed of arrows for his "Karma". As against, "Jatayu", a bird, fought against abduction of Sita by Ravana and died in the arms of lord Sri Ram after narrating the incident of Sita's abduction.

It is for the readers to interpret who is the modern Bhisma and Duryodhana after analysis the ongoing crisis in Manipur. When freedom of personal liberty and life of the public of Manipur, the soul of Fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, is violated by the Kuki-Zo terrorists on daily basis, the elected leaders of Manipur have failed in their duties to protect them, a mandate given by the people during State Assembly elections.

Therefore, the pendulum swings in favour of giving up "the chair" and must fight for the freedom and personal liberty of the public. This can be achieved by tendering resignations by the Chief Minister with his entire team of MLAs and initiate actions to float a strong regional party to protect the integrity and people of the state.

As on date, much more than 50 percent of the public have lost confidence in leadership of Shri N Biren Singh. History is replete with many examples, one glaring example is Anthony Eden resigning as Prime Minister of UK owning moral responsibility after the Suez crisis in 1956.

Analysing these situations, Manipur appears to be on the verge of a civil war, where a mere fact-finding commission may not suffice which has been adequately covered earlier (Link here). Heavy clashes leading to civil war between the Kuki-Zo terrorists and the village volunteers/defence forces appear certain in the coming days.

Now is the time to act and not talk for the double engine Govt as a last measure like creation of Unified Command under GOC 3 Corps, creation of Strategic Command which include commander of Unified Command as a member under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, immediate revoking of SoO with Kuki-Zo terrorists, disarmament of terrorists and warring communities; and lastly time bound effective sealing of Indo-Myanmar border has been adequately analysed and recommended under "Manipur Cauldron : Effective Unified Command and a Strong Political Will is the only means towards Conflict Resolution" ( Link here ).

It is time to break the silence of the Prime Minister and his team of leaders towards children of 'Lesser God' of Manipur, before it is too late (Link here ).