News Highlights:
- Recently, The Manipur government decided to withdraw from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two hill-based tribal militant groups, alleging they were “influencing agitation among forest encroachers”.
- The state government claimed that a protest rally organised recently, defying Section 144, was influenced by the two groups, Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA).
Suspension of Operations pact:
- About:
- There are nearly 30 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur, of which 25 are under tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Government of India and the state.
- As many as 17 are under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) umbrella, and eight are under the United People’s Front (UPF).
- The SoO pact was signed in August 2008, with the primary objective of initiating political dialogue.
- Talks are ongoing under AB Mathur, former special secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as the interlocutor.
- As a result of these talks, the Kuki outfits initially demanding a separate Kuki state have come down to a ‘Kukiland territorial council’.
- This council would have financial and administrative powers independent of the Manipur Assembly and government.
- Terms of the SoO pact:
- The important terms under the SoO are that security forces, including state and central forces, are not to launch any operations, nor can the underground groups(UG).
- On the other hand, signatories groups shall abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the land and the territorial integrity of Manipur.
- They are prohibited from committing all kinds of atrocities, including extortion.
- Arms are deposited in a safe room under a double-locking system. The groups are given arms only to guard their camps and protect their leaders.
- As a rehabilitation package, the UG cadres living in the designated camps are given a monthly stipend of Rs 5000.
- Financial assistance is also being provided to maintain the designated camps.
Internal Security
- About
- There is an ongoing armed conflict between India and several separatist rebel groups in Manipur.
- This insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in Northeast India, which combines elements of a national liberation war and an ethnic conflict.
- Rise of insurgency:
- The emergence of insurgency in Manipur dates back to 1964 with the formation of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which still remains one of the most formidable militant outfits.
- The rise of separatist insurgency in Manipur is mainly attributed to perceived discontent over the alleged “forced” merger of Manipur with the Union of India and the subsequent delay in granting it full-fledged statehood.
- While the erstwhile Kingdom of Manipur was merged with India on October 15, 1949, it became a state only in 1972.
- Later years saw a slew of militant outfits being formed, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), among others.
- These valley-based outfits have been demanding an independent Manipur.
- The Naga movement in neighbouring Nagaland spilled over into Manipur’s hill districts with the NSCN-IM controlling most of it while pressing for “Nagalim” (Greater Nagaland), which is perceived in the valley as a “threat” to Manipur’s “territorial integrity”.
Reasons for insurgency in Manipur:
- Merger with India:
- Meiteis are the majority community of Manipur.
- Their influence declined after Indian Independence.
- This led to resentment in a section of Meities about the merger of the State with the Indian Union, which led to the Meitei insurgency from the 1960s.
- Ethnic conflict
- Manipur has a diverse ethnic population, with Meitis controlling the Valley, Nagas on the surrounding hills and Kukis interspersed in between.
- This leads to clashes between these communities.
- Kukis and Nagas of Manipur have overlapping and conflicting territorial interests over almost all the hill districts of Manipur.
- Similarly, there are competing interests between the Nagas and Meitis.
- The demand for Nagalim or Greater Nagaland includes the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.
- On the other hand, the Meitis want to preserve what has been a single geographic entity for centuries.
- Lack of socio-economic development
- Owing to its topographical structure, the state has had problems with economic development and socio-economic transformation for a long period.
- Over the years, endless corruption, mismanagement of funds and the failure to devolve power to common people have led to the rise of dissatisfaction.
Steps Taken by the Government:
- Ceasefire Agreement:
- The NSCN-IM entered a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India (GoI) in 1997, even as peace talks between them continue.
- The Kuki outfits under two umbrella groups, the Kuki National Organization (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), also signed the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) pacts with the GoI and Manipur in 2008.
- Major valley-based militant outfits (Meitei groups), such as the UNLF, PLA, KYKL etc., are yet to come to the negotiating table.
- Many of their smaller outfits have, however, entered the SoO agreement with the state government, which has launched rehabilitation programmes for such groups.
- Impose of AFSPA:
- In 1980, the Centre declared the entire Manipur as a “disturbed area” and imposed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to suppress the insurgency movement, which remains in force to date.
Way Forward:
- Good Governance:
- Good governance needs to be instituted in the state through a transparent government, fair judiciary system, respect for the rule of law, and the provision of the minimum basic amenities like hospitals, schools, police stations, etc.
- There is a need for political sincerity coupled with proper distribution of funds for the development of the state, both in the valley and the hills.
- This should be followed by economic development through government, semi-government and private entrepreneurship participation.
- Border Management:
- Before initiating any kind of counter-insurgency policy/operations, the Indo-Myanmar international border needs proper management.
- Engaging With People:
- The connectivity and intermingling amongst the diverse communities of Manipur with mainland India should be made more effective to encourage national integration.
- For this, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and women’s associations, along with games and cultural programmes could be best utilised for restoring confidence among the valley and hill masses.
Pic Courtesy: Freepik
Content Source: The Indian Express