Abstract
It can be argued with considerable conviction that the origin of militancy in northeastern India's Manipur state is linked to the sense of popular alienation, mostly arising out of New Delhi's delayed decision to grant statehood 23 years after the State decided to merge with the country. At the same time, there are no doubts that the militant outfits are today a pale shadow of the groupings that had actually originated to protect the State's interest. Separatist movements in Manipur today do not seem to represent the people of the State or their interests. Most of the rebel groups have shown signs of having been transformed into criminalised entities mostly engaged in activities that benefit none except for the outfits themselves.
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Notes
For the profiles of the different militant outfits, see Manipur: Militant Groups Profile, Website of the Centre for Development and Peace Studies, http://cdpsindia.org/manipur_mgp.asp
For a detailed analysis of the circumstances under which the merger took place, see B G Verghese, “India’s Northeast Resurgent: Ethnicity, Insurgency, Governance, Development”, (New Delhi: Konark, 1997), pp.113–34.
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Annual report 2007–08, p.13.
“Security Situation in Manipur”, Status Paper on Internal Security Situation, March 31, 2008, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, p.16.
Whereas Assam recorded 242 and 254 deaths in 2006 and 2007 respectively, Manipur’s toll was 311 and 410. “Security Situation in Manipur”, Status Paper on Internal Security Situation, March 31, 2008, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
“Counter insurgency to be reinforced with sophisticated weapons”, Imphal Free Press (Imphal), June 20, 2007.
Thingbaijam Dhamen, “Imphal west district is nerve and extortion centre of all militant outfits in Manipur: officials”, Imphal Free Press, June 14, 2008.
“Missing Manipur kids ‘join’ separatist group?”, July 12, 2008, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/missing-manipur-kids-join-separatist-group_10070767.html
“Abducted Iroisemba boys reunited with families”, Imphal Free Press, July 13, 2008.
“Militants hold Manipur media to ransom”, June 18, 2008, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/militants-hold-manipur-media-to-ransom_10061532.html
Pradip Phanjoubam, “Walking a tight rope in Manipur”, http://www.thehoot.org/story.asp?storyid=nitinhootK04140214&pn=1§ion=S9
Bibhu Prasad Routray, “Churachandpur: Unremitting Terror”, South Asia Intelligence Review, vol.5, no.16, October 30, 2006, http://satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/5_16.htm#assessment2
“Manipur Timeline-2008”, South Asia Terrorism Portal, http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/manipur/timeline/index.html
Sobhapati Samom, “UBI to resume services in Manipur today”, Assam Tribune (Guwahati), January 12, 2008. Also see “Manipur UBI branches open”, Telegraph (Kolkata), January 13, 2008.
“Manipur descends into chaos and lawlessness”, April 3, 2008, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/manipur-descends-into-chaos-and-lawlessness_10033936.html
“Militant-imposed taxes cause price hike, scarcity: Minister”, The Hindu (New Delhi), July 12, 2008.
“Manipur descends into chaos and lawlessness”, April 3, 2008, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/manipur-descends-into-chaos-and-lawlessness_10033936.html
Kalyan Chaudhuri, “Naga unity beckons”, Frontline (Chennai), vol. 19, no.3, February 2–15, 2002.
Radhabinod Koijam, “Naga ceasefire and Manipur”, The Hindu, July 13, 2001.
Among several such reports is “Militarisation and Impunity in Manipur”, Asian Legal Source Centre, http://www.article2.org/pdf/v05n06.pdf
“Crime in India- 2006”, National Crimes Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Annual Report: 2006–07, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, p.18.
Supreme Court, Naga People's Movement of Human Rights vs. Union of India, November 27, 2007.
A writer wrote, “While the law sounds draconian, the AFSPA enjoys secret support from many leading local politicians as well as local people who fear that removing it altogether would leave everyone at the mercy of roving bands of militants, each supporting the interests of a narrow ethnic or tribal group in Manipur's highly composite society.” See Ranjit Devraj, “Extortion a way of life in Manipur”, April 5, 2005, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GD05Df03.html
“Motion for AFSPA removal defeated in Manipur”, Times of India (New Delhi), March 21, 2007.
“AFSPA Review Team feels the pulse in Nagaland over Act's repeal”, March 23, 2005, http://nagarealm.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=850 (Accessed on July 25, 2007)
Bibhu Prasad Routray, “Manipur: Terrorist Diktats Rule”, South Asia Intelligence Review, vol.3, no.35, March 14, 2005, http://satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/3_35.htm#assessment2
“Manipur outfit shuns talks offer”, Telegraph (Kolkata), February 25, 2008.
“SPO in Heirok: UNLF-KYKL adopt tough stance, impose restrictions”, Sangai Express (Imphal), July 7, 2008.
“Bomb attack on peaceful protestors against extortion; 12 hurt, three serious, many including KYKL, UNLF express dismay”, Imphal Free Press, June 27, 2008.
“Kukis demand trial of NSCN(IM) for criminal acts before talks”, March 8, 2007, http://nagarealm.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3329
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Das, R.P. Militancy in Manipur: origin, dynamics and future. Asia Europe J 6, 561–574 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0194-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0194-y