The Manipur government on September, 20th, 2024, alerted the police to a purported intel report regarding the influx of around 900 tribal rebels from Myanmar to launch coordinated attacks in the Imphal Valley region.
The intel from Chief Minister Biren Singh’s office stated that the tribal militants are well-trained in jungle warfare and in the use of drones and projectiles to launch a coordinated attack on the villages in the valley. As per reports, the militants are grouped in units of 30 each and are currently scattered on the perimeter. The intel expects them to launch multiple coordinated attacks.
The Chief Security Advisor to the BJP government, Kuldiep Singh, stated that the authorities are acting on the threat until the intel is found to be wrong. It is currently being viewed as being “100% correct”, said Singh. The border units of the Manipur police and the Assam rifles have been put on maximum alert. Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Pherzawl districts have been put on high alert.
“If it doesn’t come true, then there are two things. Either it didn’t happen at all, or because of your efforts it didn’t happen. You cannot take it lightly”
Security Advisor, Kuldiep Singh
The clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki community, which erupted over protests by the Kukis against the Meitei’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, has reportedly killed over 200, with nearly 50,000 people displaced. The Kukis feared the status would lead to increased influence of Meiteis over the land and resources in the region.
The involvement of the overground insurgents in both communities was confirmed by the Manipur Police following the recent gunfight in Jiribam district. The police confirmed that among the killed were members of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), which is an India and Myanmar-based insurgent group, and the United National Liberation Front (Pambei), or UNLF (P).
Border Security
India scrapped the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar in February in light of concerns regarding unregulated migration potentially changing the demographic of the state. FMR allows residents of border areas to travel up to 16 km into neighboring countries without a Visa under India’s Act East Policy.
Act East Policy is a diplomatic initiative by India aimed at enhancing economic, strategic, and cultural ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The influx of immigrants from Myanmar has been a cause for concern since the ethnic violence in Manipur started. Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share a 520 km and 510 km border with Myanmar, while Manipur shares 398 km and Nagaland 215 km.
Hilly areas of Manipur were believed to have been hotspots of an influx of migrants, which the security agencies saw as an exploitation of the free movement regime (FMR) to change the demographic in the state.
The Centre also announced fencing the 1,643 km India-Myanmar border in February with an approximate cost of ₹ 31,000 crore, effectively ending FMR with Myanmar. According to the Home Minister, nearly 30 km of the border fencing has been finished. About 10 km of fencing has been completed near Moreh, and work is ongoing in other areas of Manipur. However, there are challenges due to the rugged terrain, which complicates construction efforts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously stated that the influx from Myanmar was the “root cause of the strife”. He said violence in Manipur does not stem from terrorism but is instead due to ethnic strife.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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