Insurgency Problem In Manipur

Context: Recently, four jawans and Assam Rifles Commanding Officer(CO) were attacked by militants in Manipur.

Background

• The officer’s convoy was attacked with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by militants.
• The People’s Liberation Army(PLA) and the Manipur Naga People’s Front(MNPF)  jointly claimed responsibility for the ambush.
• The PLA and MNPF’s targeted killing of a CO marked a major escalation in insurgent operations in Manipur.

Insurgency in Manipur
Background of insurgent Groups In Manipur

• The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was formed in the 1960s owing to resentment among a portion of Meitei society over Manipur’s merger into the Union of India. This led to the beginning of the insurgency in Manipur.
• Later, various more insurgent organisations arose to demand independence of Manipur.
• The Meiteis were further radicalised by the creation of the People’s Liberation Army.
• After separating from the UNLF in 1969, N Bisheshwar founded the People’s Liberation Army. 
• The goal was freeing the northeastern area via a meticulously organised revolutionary revolt. This was used as a basis for ‘liberating’ the rest of India.” 
• Bisheswar claimed to have built his organisation on Marxism-Leninism and Mao’s ideas, as well as appealing to the Naga and Mizo groups to join the PLA. 
• The Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the PLA’s political branch, was founded in 1979.
• The Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), which claimed responsibility for the attack, claims it arose from a combination of two Naga underground organisations operating in Manipur.

Significant Work of Assam Rifles 

• The battalion has carried out major seizures of drugs and several successful operations to disrupt illegal smuggling including narcotics along the Myanmar border.
• The battalion has also recovered several weapons and war-like stores which could have landed in the hands of anti-national elements thus avoiding major casualties.
• The battalion focused activities under civic action, student outreach and health campaigns, especially during challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenges

Manipur has a diverse ethnic population with Meitis controlling the Valley, Nagas on the surrounding hills and Kukis interspersed in between.

• Multiethnic Communities: There are a number of other smaller tribal groups with their own set of demands.
• Naga inhabited areas of Manipur demand Nagalim or Greater Nagaland.
• The Meitis aim to preserve a unique geographic unit that has existed for ages.
• Kukis also seek their rights in the fragmented society.

Political Interests: Insurgent groups are also linked to political parties, resulting in a set of relationships between weapons and political power, as well as finance. As a result, there are inherent interests in maintaining the insurgency. 

Economic Benefits of Insurgency: Insurgency is increasingly viewed as a lucrative industry, and insurgencies have turned into criminal activities in reality.

• AFSPA is more of a perception problem than a legal issue involving alleged human rights violations.

What is the Solution to the Insurgency Problem In Manipur?

• People in the state should reject the state’s fragmented political system by coming together to strive for a better life.
• People will have to rise beyond petty local politics to guarantee that success in industry and tourism is achieved in a peaceful manner.
• Given the high level of education, more people should enter the national mainstream through government work or private sector employment, bringing a fresh perspective to the area.
• There is a need to ensure greater transparency in the local police system.
• In addition, the legislation should be improved to incorporate the Supreme Court-approved guidelines.