Insurgency in Manipur

The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between India and a number of separatist rebel groups, taking place in the region of Manipur. The Insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in Northeast India; it combines elements of a national liberation war as well as an ethnic conflict.

Insurgency in Manipur
Part of Insurgency in Northeast India
Map of Manipur
Date 8 September 1980 – Present[1] (39 years, 11 months and 1 day) Location Manipur Status Ongoing (very low level insurgency)
Belligerents
India Supported by:  Myanmar	Multiple insurgent groups[2] KLA PULF KNF HPC-D KNA KRA ZRA UKLF NSCN-IM MPLF KCP MCPM KYKL PLA PREPAK UNLF HPC CKRF HRF IRPA IKL KKK KLO KRPC HNA MLTA NEMF ZRV KNO KIF
Commanders and leaders
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977–82) Zail Singh (1982–87) R. Venkataraman (1987–92) Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992–97) K. R. Narayanan (1997–02) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2002–07) Pratibha Patil (2007–12) Pranab Mukherjee (2012–17) Ram Nath Kovind (2017–present) San Yu (1980–88) Sein Lwin (1988) Maung Maung (1988) Saw Maung (1988–92) Than Shwe (1992–11) Thein Sein (2011–16) Htin Kyaw (2016–18) Win Myint (2018–present)	Rajkumar Meghen  (POW) Achou Toijamba (KYKL) Senggoi Meetei (KCP) R.K. Tulachandra (PREPAK)  † Irengbam Chaoren Thang Lian Pau (ZRA) Thuingaleng Muivah (NSCN-IM) S S Khaplang (NSCN-K) [1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Strength
1,325,000[10]	1,500 2,500 500 PREPAK 600 KYKL 100 KCP 4500 NSCN-IM 2000 NSCN-K[1][3][4]
Casualties and losses
1033 †	2826 † 1627 (POW)
2295 †

Background

Manipur's long tradition of independence can be traced to the foundation of the Kangleipak State in 1110. The Kingdom of Manipur was conquered by Great Britain following the brief Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, becoming a British protectorate.[11]

Manipur became a part of India on 21 October 1949. However, only after violent protests, it became a separate state in 1972. Manipur's incorporation into the Indian state soon led to the formation of a number of insurgent organisations, seeking the creation of an independent state within the borders of Manipur, and dismissing the merger with India as involuntary.[1]

History

The first separatist faction known as United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was founded on 24 November 1964. However, they remained as political till 1991. Between 1977 and 1980, the People's Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), were formed, immediately joining the war.[1]

On 8 September 1980, Manipur was declared an area of disturbance, when the Indian Government imposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 on the region, the act currently remains in force.[1]

The parallel rise of Naga nationalism in neighbouring Nagaland led to the emergence of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) activities in Manipur. Clashes between the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of NSCN further aggravated tensions, as Kuki tribals began creating their own guerrilla groups in order to protect their interests from alleged Naga violations. Other ethnic groups such as Paite, Vaiphei, Pangals and Hmars followed suit establishing militant groups. The rise of tribal militias culminated in ethnic violence that took place during the 1990s.[1]

Current scenario

In contrast with the other wars forming the Insurgency in Northeast India, Manipuri rebels are characterised by a low level of defections and a well organised intelligence network. The rebels have also avoided targeting local police personnel, thus aiming to secure popular support.[1]

Extortion remains the main source of funding for militant groups, temples, educational institutions and businesses are known to have been targeted with illegal taxation. As many as 26 permanent, tax collection checkpoints have been set up on the NH-39 and NH-53 National Highways. Rebels have also resorted to abducting children and later employing them as child soldiers.[1] The illegal taxation is done through posts that can be found alongsides the NH-39 and NH-53 highways. The taxation here is very high as compared to the local police excise duties. The effect of these taxations are largely felt by the drivers transporting oil along these highways from Assam to Manipur. Also, there are some cases where anonymous people disguising themselves as the militant groups's soldiers extort heavy charges from the drivers.

Timeline

• 4 July 2000, 18 insurgents surrendered to the authorities of Imphal in the presence of Manipur Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh.[12]
• 18 September 2001, the Indian military killed 5 PLA members during a shootout in the Khoupum valley, Tamenglong district.[13]
• 10 February 2003, a KYKL ambush leads to the death of 5 Border Security Force personnel, in Leingangtabi along the Imphal-Moreh road.[12]
• 16 January 2005, security forces uncovered a PLA camp in Theogtang Zoukanou, Churachandpur district. A total of 76 rifles, 20 small arms and large amounts of ammunition were seized.[13]
• 30 June 2005, 5 policemen and 4 PLA rebels were slain in a clash, in Thangjng Ching, Churachandpur district. A radio set, weapons as well as documentation were confiscated from the dead guerrillas.[13]
• 17 August 2007, police arrested 12 militants from the official residences of three Members of Legislative Assembly in Imphal.[12]
• 31 November 2010, authorities detained UNLF chairman Rajkumar Meghen, the incident took place in Motihari, Bihar.[1]
• 15 April 2011, a NSCN-IM ambush resulted in the death of 8 people and the injury of 6 others, the victims belonged to the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Manipur police. The incident took place in Riha, Yeingangpokpi 12 km from Imphal after the then MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing conference meeting, Ukhrul district.[14]
• 1 August 2011, 5 people were killed and 8 others injured when National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah militants detonated a bomb outside a barber shop in the Sanghakpam Bazaar, Imphal.[14]
• 30 April 2012, 103 militants belonging to UNLF, PULF, KYKL, PREPAK, KNLF, KCP, PLA, UNPC, NSCN-IM, NSCN-K, UPPK and KRPA and KRF, surrendered before the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh during a ceremony at Mantripukhri in the Imphal West District.[13]
• 14 September 2013, an IED detonated in a tent housing migrant workers in the city of Imphal, killing at least 9 and injuring 20 people.[15]
• 20 February 2015, security forces conducted a number of raids in the areas of Wangjing and Khongtal, arresting 5 PREPAK cadres.[16]
• 23 May 2015, security forces carried out a joint operation in the village of Hingojang, Senapati district. Three militants were killed and one was detained after the rebels offered armed resistance.[17]
• 4 June 2015, guerrillas ambushed a military convoy in Chandel district, killing 18 soldiers and wounding 15 others. UNLFW claimed responsibility for the attack.[18]
• 9 June 2015, on specific and precise intelligence from IB, IM and R&AW commandos of 21st para SF battalion of Indian army along with Indian air force carry out cross border operation into Myanmar resulted in death of approximately 158 militants including those who attacked an army convoy in 4 June. Elite commandos of the army went a few kilometers inside the Myanmar territory to destroy two camps of insurgents hiding there after their attacks in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh on 4 June by NSCN(K) and KYKL outfits.[19][20][20][21][22]
• 22 May 2016, rebels ambushed and killed six Indian paramilitary soldiers in Manipur, India near the northeastern region bordering Myanmar.[23]

See also

• Human rights abuses in Manipur
• Child soldiers in India
• Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
• Separatist movements of India
• Insurgency in Northeast India

References

1. "Overview: Insurgency & Peace Efforts in Manipur". CDPS. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
2. "Terrorist / Insurgent Groups – Manipur". SATP. 22 March 2015. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
3. "National Socialist Council of Nagaland -Khaplang". SATP. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
4. "National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah". SATP. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
5. "Zomi Revolutionary Organisation/ Zomi Revolutionary Army". SATP. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
6. "People's Liberation Army". SATP. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
7. "People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak". SATP. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
8. "Kangleipak Communist Party". SATP. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
9. "Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup". SATP. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
10. IISS 2012, pp. 243–248
11. "Insurgencies in Manipur: politics & ideology". The Hindu. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
12. "Incidents and Statements involving Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup: 2000–2012". SATP. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
13. "Incidents and Statements People's Liberation Army: 2000–2012". SATP. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
14. "Manipur: The Slippery Slope, Again". SATP. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
15. "Manipur capital Imphal rocked by deadly bomb". BBC. 14 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
16. "Security forces arrest 5 militants". Sangaiexpress. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
17. "Hingojan victims MNRF, KNF (N) cadres: AR". Manipur Times. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
18. "UNLFW killed 20 jawans in Manipur: Here's a guide to the newly-formed insurgent group". Firstpost. 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
19. "Army Conducts Ops Near Myanmar Border, Sources Say Militants Behind Manipur Ambush Killed". 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
20. "Army strikes back, kills 20 militants 'responsible' for Manipur massacre in Myanmar". Firstpost. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
21. "Bold operation by Indian Army: Many militants involved in Manipur ambush neutralised in Myanmar". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
22. "Manipur attack: Indian Army hunts down insurgents along Myanmar border". Zee News. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
23. ABC News. "Rebels Kill 6 Indian Soldiers Near Border With Myanmar". ABC News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.