Manipur Violence - What is the history of insurgency in Manipur?

GS-III | Internal Security

Manipur Violence

What is the history of insurgency in Manipur?

Q. Context/Why is it in news?

·    The Manipur violence broke out because of the High Court’s order asking the state government to submit a recommendation for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the state’s list of Scheduled Tribes.

·      Seeking to restore peace in Manipur, where at least 80 have died in clashes since May 3, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a series of measures, including a judicial probe panel, a peace committee, and an inter-agency unified command for better coordination.

·  A peace committee, led by Governor AnusuiyaUikey and comprising stakeholders like industrialists, sportspersons, elected representatives, and both Kuki and Meitei members will also be constituted.The peace committee will including representatives of the CSOs.

·        Shah also announced a CBI probe to investigate six cases, including five identified cases from all registered cases and one case of general conspiracy.

Q. History of conflict in Manipur:

·      Manipur has been in the cross-currents of India’s oldest insurgent movements. The Naga national movement in the 1950s and the fight for an independent Nagalim touched parts of Manipur. The NSCN-IM entered a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government only in 1997.

·      While this movement was raging, the Meiteis in Manipur were also opposing the merger agreement between the Manipuri king, Maharaja Bodhachandra, and the Indian government.

·   In 1964, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was formed, demanding secession from India. Subsequently, numerous Meitei insurgent groups, or Valley Insurgent Groups, came into being, such as the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which received arms and training from China. These valley groups operated with a dual purpose – independence from India, and warding off Naga insurgent groups.

·    The Kuki-Zomi groups were in fact a reaction to Naga aggression against the Kukis. In 1993, a massacre of Kukis by the NSCN-IM left thousands of Kukis homeless. The Kuki-Zomi tribes organised various armed groups after this.

·       At around the same time, similar clashes were taking place between the Meiteis and Meitei Pangals (Muslims). This led to the formation of the Islamist group People’s United Liberation Front, alongside several others. These groups are no longer active in the region.

Q. Government reaction

·   The Indian government enacted the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in 1958 in reaction to the Naga separatist activity, initially implementing it across Nagaland and parts of Manipur. With the valley movement gathering steam, this Act was then extended to the entire state.

·       In the 1980s, Manipur was declared a disturbed area. Various peace talks since led to a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement between the Centre, the state and the Kuki-Zomi groups in 2008.

·       As the law-and-order situation gradually improved, AFSPA has been repealed from several areas.

·       The Valley Insurgent Groups have, however, never entered an agreement with the Centre or participated in any peace talks, and technically, remain active.

 

Q. The Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups

·      The Kuki-Zomi movement started as defence against aggression by other groups, but quickly morphed into a call for Kukiland – an imagined country spreading across the Kuki-Zomi inhabited areas of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Over time, this was diluted to simply a call for a separate state.

·    Churachandpur district has the highest number of insurgent groups in Manipur, with 24 operational groups under the SoO. But camps designated by the Indian government dot Kanpokpi, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts along with Churachandpur. These camps house arms safety rooms with a double lock – one key remaining with the camp leader and a second with Indian security forces. The cadres within the camp are armed.

·  The primary groups in the area include the Kuki National Organisation and its armed wing the Kuki Revolutionary Army, the Zomi Re-Unification Organisation, Zomi Revolutionary Army, the Kuki National Front, the Kuki National Liberation Front, United Kuki Liberation Front and Kuki National Army.

Q. Dominant groups

·   Out of the valley insurgent groups, the UNLF, considered the mother of all Meitei insurgent groups, remained the most powerful till recently. The valley groups sporadically carried out ambushes against security forces and planted IEDs. The UNLF is believed to have received its initial training from the NSCN-IM.

·    Amongst the Naga groups, the NSCN-IM is the most prominent, with bases across Ukhrul and Senapati districts.

Q. Insurgent groups and politics

·     The insurgent groups are intricately woven into the daily life in Manipur. From lofty goals of self-determination, they have over the years declined into a more mercenary role – usually on hire for intimidation.

·    The valley groups, in particular the UNLF, have from time to time called for strikes, like on August 15 or January 26. The Meitei groups have set in stone the valley’s moral code, through ‘rules’ such as a ban on Hindi movies and music, ban on Indian clothing, regulations on what can be shown in Meitei movies, and a ban on alcohol.

·     The groups, across communities, also levy ‘taxes’ on the public.

·      But where the groups are most visible today is in the political life of the state. Candidates, cutting across party lines, stand for elections with insurgent backing, and the groups dictate to the voters who should win.

  • Other Related News
  • Geography Geography
    Eprakram
  • Important Essay
  • Geography Geography

    Quick Links


    A Case for Kerala's Missing Elephants

    A Case for Kerala's Missing Elephants

    Why in the news?Kerala's recent enumeration revealed that the wild elephant population has decreased from 5706 in 2017 to 2386 in 2023, registering a steep decline of 58% in the state.Possible reasons attributed to the decrease in the population:1
    Bharat (BH) Series Number plate

    Bharat (BH) Series Number plate

    1.       Bharat Series is a new numbering series that will be used for vehicle registration across the nation, especially for those vehicles that frequently shift from one state to another due to their owner’s tra
    Quiet Diplomacy Could Ease South China Sea Tensions

    Quiet Diplomacy Could Ease South China Sea Tensions

    What is Quiet Diplomacy?1.   “Quiet diplomacy” refers to one state’s efforts to influence the behaviour of another state through discreet negotiations or actions. 2.    It operates behind the scenes and may rely on&n
    Disaster Preparedness During Floods

    Disaster Preparedness During Floods

    Why in the News?·       High precipitation in the upper and lower catchment area of R.Yamuna has led to devastating floods in the National capital.·       The Central Water Co
    Indo-France Relations

    Indo-France Relations

    Indo-France Relations:1)      Convergence of Indo-pacific strategies of India and France●       France is a resident power in the Indian ocean with 2.7sq million km EEZ●   &n
    PM MODI's visit to the US - GAINS TO INDIA

    PM MODI's visit to the US - GAINS TO INDIA

    Why in the News?Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to the USA has helped India showcase its Cultural heritage, Diplomatic prowess and its growing influence on the world stage.Key outcomes of the Diplomatic visit:1)      A
    CPI basket conceals the inflation picture

    CPI basket conceals the inflation picture

    Why in the News?India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 4.81% in June 2023, higher than expectations but still below the RBI's upper tolerance limit of 6%. The spike was driven by a less supportive base and a surge in vegetable prices
    A big step in reducing the risk of disasters

    A big step in reducing the risk of disasters

    Why in the news?India has established the first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.What is the rationale behind its establishment?The consequences of climate change are resulting in devastating disasters across the world.●    &n
    Custodial Violence

    Custodial Violence

    Why in the News?Two persons have allegedly died of custodial violence in Delhi and Faridabad in separate cases.Custodial Violence & death:●       Includes torture, death and other excesses in police custody or
    Migration In India

    Migration In India

    Why in the News?The Bombay High Court has taken Suo motu cognisance of exploitation of intra-state migrant workforce in Maharastra (MH).What is the background of the issue?1.    People from Drought-affected and water-scarce regions of Ma