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ongoing armed conflict between India and multiple separatist rebel groups
The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between India and several separatist rebel groups, taking place in the state of Manipur. The Insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in Northeast India; it displays elements of a national liberation war as well as an ethnic conflict.
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The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between India and several separatist rebel groups, taking place in the state of Manipur. The insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider insurgency in Northeast India; it displays elements of a national liberation war as well as an ethnic conflict.
Manipur has been an "independent kingdom" since at least 33 AD. The Kingdom of Manipur was integrated as a princely state of India following the brief Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
After Manipur signed the Instrument of Accession at the time of Indian independence in 1947, it was merged into India in October 1949, and governed as a centrally-administered Chief Commissioner's Province. The status insulted Manipur's historical imagination of independence, which turned into resentment after the Naga Hills district was granted statehood in 1962.
The road to the statehood of Manipur has been violent. On 23 October 1969, when Indira Gandhi visited Manipur, members of the public pelted stones at her when she was delivering her speech. People set one police vehicle and an ambulance on fire. One police driver died and 66 police personnel were injured. The police also killed 4 civilians and injured 6 others. On 16 February 1970, the UAC (United Action Committee) launched a major strike across all constituencies. In March 1970, they launched pickets at the Secretariat and DC office for the cause of statehood. Police arrested 521 persons and registered 21 cases. As they could not be lodged in the jail, they were taken to the sub-jail at Pallel. The self-styled President of Meitei State W. Tomba was arrested with 4 members. They were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The neglect of statehood of Manipur, the Nagaland statehood in 1963 via violence and foreign support from then East Pakistan and China, helped the formation of many insurgent groups in North-East India including Manipur.
Manipur's incorporation into the Indian state soon led to the formation of many insurgent organizations, seeking the creation of an independent state within Manipur's borders and dismissing the merger with India as involuntary.
During the post-colonial period, as ethnic identities became increasingly politicised and separate from cultural context, tribes such as Anal, Moyon, Monsang and Maring, who share cultural similarities with the other Kuki tribes, started identifying themselves as Naga. This is seen as a milestone for the consolidation of Naga nationalism by United Naga Council and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah.
The annexation of Manipur in 1949 led to a split in the polity of Manipur. Political organizations such as Manipur State Congress actively campaigned for union with India while organizations such as Praja Sangh and other parties opposed the union. During this time, Hijam Irabot, a leader of the Communist Party of Manipur was in touch with the Communist Party of Burma to arrange for the training of the militant wing of the party, the Red Guards. After Irabot's death, the movement split into various factions.
In the second wave of the insurgency, the first separatist faction, known as United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was founded on 24 November 1964. However, they did not take armed action until 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.
Naga insurgency began in 1980s with the founding of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland. This was followed by the formation of Kuki National Front and the Kuki National Organisation, and its armed wing, the Kuki National Army, in 1987 and 1988 respectively.
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. The provision was lifted in various parts of Manipur in March 2023.
The parallel rise of Naga nationalism in neighboring 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.
In contrast with the other insurgencies in Northeast India, Manipur-based militants are characterized by a low level of defections and a well organized intelligence network. They have also avoided targeting local police personnel, thus aiming to secure popular support.
Extortion remains the main source of funding for militant groups. Hindu 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. Militants have also resorted to abducting children and later employing them as child soldiers.
The first suspension of operations (SoO) was signed in 2005 between Kuki militant organizations and the Indian army. In August 2008, a tripartite suspension of operations (SoO) agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and 25 Kuki militant organizations to establish a ceasefire. The agreement lead to a ceasefire and laying down of arms by Kuki militant groups and began the process of negotiations. On 10 March 2023, the Government of Manipur withdrew from the suspension of operations agreement with Kuki National Army and Zomi Revolutionary Front.
From 3 May 2023, Manipur witnessed ethnic violence, which led to a separation of valley and hill areas with purging of Kukis and Meiteis from respective areas. This marked a new era in Manipur's insurgency, where the militant groups of respective ethnic communities witnessed a resurgence in membership.
Militant organizations in Manipur display different ethnic loyalties and a range of ideologies.
The following is an incomplete list of events relating to the insurgency in Manipur. Most of these events cannot be independently verified because news journalists usually have very limited access to reaching the areas where the fighting takes place.
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