Raising of Manipur Scouts for... Guarding Indo-Myanmar border and protection of NH-37 in Manipur

Brigadier (Retd) Laiphrakpam Ibotombi Singh *

(The Manipur Scouts, with its Regimental Centre in Manipur, will be exclusively fielded by the domicile of Manipur and recommended for guarding Indo-Myanmar Border and National Highway 37. Some percentage of citizens who volunteered for protection of Manipur’s integrity during the trying condition post 03rd May, 2023 conflict; like Arambai Tengol and surrendered militants/insurgents may be absorbed in Manipur Scouts, subject to fulfillment of qualitative requirements for recruitment)

Since 03rd of May, 2023, Manipur has been witnessing unprecedent violence resulting in large fatal and non-fatal casualties besides thousands have been rendered homeless as their houses and livelihoods have been burnt.

The level of violence has been compounded by involvement of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operations (SOO) and Myanmar origin terrorists operating as mercenaries in creating mayhem against innocent Meitei villagers staying on the outskirts of Imphal valley neighbouring Chin-Kuki dominated areas.

A close analysis of ethnic carnage of 3rd May and afterwards carried out by a particular tribal community is 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 Chura-chandpur district. There-after, it spread like wildfire along all the villages in outer periphery of Imphal valley.

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 opportunists (fence sitters) comprising political within and outside the ruling party and other novices from all fields who wants change the present regime and some wanting to enter political arena solely to achieve their personal agendas.

Despite pressing home more than 60 Army& Assam Rifles columns, nearly 195 CPMF columns (over 15,000 personnel across ranks), and State police forces viz. Manipur Rifles, Indian Reserve Battalions and State Commando police personnel, the level of violence has not subsided, instead it is flaring up in Kuki dominated areas, resulting in more than 200 deaths, many injured and thousands of families rendered homeless seeking shelter in refugee camps, with the ruling Central Govt remaining a mute spectator.

Unfortunately, the security personnel at the helm are not synergizing application of mammoth size Security Forces deployed in Manipur, instead are resorting to knee jerk actions, more of reactive scenarios than pro-active actions to control the situation.

The effectiveness of Assam Rifles, so called friends of the hill people, deployed in guarding Indo-Myanmar border and in controlling the present unfortunate ugly ethnic clashes between Chin-Kukis plus Myanmar origin militant groups against Meitei tribe; is being questioned from all sections.

There is chorus from many Civil Society Organisations, student bodies, meira paibis and even some political leaders demanding removal of the Assam Rifles from Manipur. If one of the major mandates of Security Forces deployed in Manipur is to rein in and take punitive actions against Zo-Kuki militant groups who violate Cease Fire Ground Rules-CFGR (approximately 24 militant groups are under Suspension of Operations- SoO), why do some Assam Rifles personnel deployed in Manipur remain silent spectators or undertake unpleasant actions like what was done by blocking the entry and exit with Casper bullet proof vehicles at Sugnu police station in July 2023, which is losing confidence in functioning of this oldest Central Para Military Force of the country amongst the Meitei community.

It is well understood that some of the cadres of SoO Kuki militant groups are used as a source for providing information’s about other active militant/insurgent groups in Manipur. However, during this ‘trying condition’ they need to operate in equal playing fields. They are not only required to operate without partiality and without any favours but need to be shown the same in the eyes of public.

The Force need to live up to the expectations and rich traditions and not succumb under any pressure at all. Therefore, is there a necessity to replace this oldest CPMF from Manipur ? During the current ongoing Assembly session, Shri N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur had made a statement in the house that there is some consideration for replacement of Assam Rifles from Border Guarding role along Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur.

India shares a 1643 km long border with Myanmar in four States namely, Arunachal (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) with Myanmar’s Sagaing Region and Chin State. One of the most porous international borders, it frequently witnesses illegal migration and infiltrators indulging in activities including human and drug trafficking.

Sagaing Region bordering Nagaland and Manipur has Bamar, Chin, Shan and Naga population practicing Buddhism and Christianity. Chin State located in Western Myanmar shares boundaries with Manipur in North and Mizoram in the West. It is sparsely populated and remains one of the least developed areas of Myanmar with a high rate of unemployment. Chin is the major ethnic group and Christianity is the major religion.

Chins and Manipur’s Kukis and Paites have long ethnic linkages since feudal era as parts of Chin Hills were under the suzerainty of Manipur and under the British empire post the Treaty of Yandabo. Hence, because of cross pollination, in particular Chin-Zo-Kuki communities, the people on both sides of the border have ethnic, religious and cultural ties since centuries.

This factor is being exploited by Zo-Kuki militant groups including those under SoO in Manipur to seek shelter in Chin State and Sagaing Region for their anti-India activities, taxes on illegal drug trafficking and cultivations.

To bring in a long term peaceful solution for NE Region the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced that the Government of India has taken a decision that the entire border between India and Myanmar will be fenced and will no longer be open and porous. No fencing is impregnable unless the area is monitored by physical patrolling and guarded by Security Forces.

Besides border fencing there is a need for a secured and reliable line of communication to Imphal, the State capital of Manipur. As the main artery ie NH-2 connecting Imphal to Dimapur is frequently disrupted in the form of blockade by various ethnic groups, National Highway 37 is a better choice as the alignment runs entirely through Manipur.

For security of the National Highway there is a requirement of creating a sizeable and strong National Highway Protection Force on similar line to Railway Protection Force. Side by side there is a need to take stringent punitive actions against personnel who indulge in blockade of National Highways by enacting law as non-bailable for such offences. For effectively guarding the 398 long Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur, as well as protection of 222 km long National Highway from Imphal to Jiribam, a viable force like Manipur Scouts is need of the hour.

The Manipur Scouts, with its Regimental Centre in Manipur, will be exclusively fielded by the domicile of Manipur and recommended for guarding Indo-Myanmar Border and National Highway 37. Some percentage of citizens who volunteered for protecting integrity of Manipur during the trying condition post 03rd May, 2023 conflict like Arambai Tengol and surrendered militants/insurgents may be absorbed in Manipur Scouts, subject to fulfillment of qualitative requirements for recruitment.

This will encourage surrender of militants with arms so as to arrest the ongoing conflict. The onus of financing may be given to either from the budget of Ministry of Defence or Ministry of Home Affairs. The present system of 0.21 RMP given to Manipur for recruitment may be dispensed with to meet the requirement of new raising.

All the quotas of Manipur given to Assam Regiment and other regiments/services may be allocated to Manipur Scouts. The length of Indo-Myanmar Border in Manipur is 398 kms and length of National Highway 37 is 220 km, in total 618 km. Covering a 60km frontage of Indo-Myanmar border and guarding 50 Km stretch of NH37 by a Manipur Scouts Battalion, there is a requirement of raising 11 Manipur Scouts Battalions.

The State Govt must make a serious note of this requirement and take it up with the MoD or MHA to raise 11 Manipur Scouts Battalions on a war footing. Equally is importance of creating permanent infrastructure for the border guarding Scouts and NH Protection Forcer to enable permanency in their deployment.

These scouts will be interface between Regular Security Forces and local population of a geographical area with one to two battalions each located in the districts of Chura-chandpur, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong and Ukhrul. Likewise four battalions may be deployed astride NH-37, keeping threat and disturbance profile of the NH-37. Nitty-gritty can be worked out in detail later.

These units, will enhance the capabilities and confidences of existing village committees, thus, contributing to the security grid and secure environment for the people.

The first three scout battalions, post raising, are recommended to be located in Churachandpur, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts, primarily focused on intelligence about Indian based insurgent camps located in Myanmar, prevent them from entering into Manipur, prevention of drug trafficking and other illegal trades and finally assist the Regular Security Forces in neutralization of insurgent or militant camps.

The following advantages will be accrued from the above proposal, viz.
(a) Give more job opportunities to the economically underdeveloped State. Will generate more employment avenues for the people of Manipur in general and locals of remote border areas in particular,
(b) Foster integration amongst all tribes of Manipur and National integration with India,
(c) A close interface with the local population, an essential factor in winning hearts and minds of the people,
(d) Manipuri Ikhawanis will provide ‘Hard Intelligence’ to counter insurgency security forces, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency by way of successful surgical strikes against Myanmar based Indian Insurgent groups.
(e) Personnel of these units will keep a constant vigil along the border and will gain field intelligence even in disembodied state, a job which is beyond the capabilities of other Security Forces.
(f) Lastly a secured and stable Indo-Myamar border will facilitate in fulfilling the India’s Act East Policy.