Defence AND security

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Main ethnic groupings of Manipur
• Insurgency in Manipur
• Naga Insurgency

WHY IN NEWS

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted a charge sheet to a court in Guwahati in March 2024. The charge sheet alleges that the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is involved in a “China-Myanmar module”.

As per the NIA, this group is providing assistance to individuals associated with two prohibited Meitei organizations. The costumes seen in the image are the uniforms of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL). According to the NIA, these groups are receiving help in order to penetrate India.

MAIN ETHENIC GROUPINGS OF MANIPUR

The Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zomi-Mizo are the primary ethnic groups in Manipur.

The Meiteis, constituting the most populous community, make up around 53% of the overall population of Manipur, which stands at 27.21 lakh according to the 2011 Census.

The Nagas and the Kuki-Zo, both classified as 34 Scheduled Tribes, make up 17% and 26% of the population, respectively.

INSURGENCY IN MANIPUR

ABOUT

An armed struggle persists between India and many separatist rebel factions in Manipur.
The insurgency in Manipur is a component of the broader insurgency in Northeast India, characterized by both a national liberation struggle and an ethnic conflict.

Historical context

After a short conflict known as the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, the British Empire successfully captured and took control of the Kingdom of Manipur.
Following the conclusion of the war, the Manipur kingdom came under the protection of the British.
Manipur was annexed by India in October 1949 and achieved statehood in 1972.

Increase of rebellion

The integration of Manipur into the Indian state resulted in the emergence of several militant groups.
These factions insisted for the establishment of a sovereign territory within the confines of Manipur, and rejected the integration with India as being coerced.
The issue of insurgency in Manipur emerged during the late 1960s and 1970s.
Insurgency was not a concern when Manipur became a part of India.
The inaugural separatist faction, known as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was established in November 1964.
Subsequently, the insurgency underwent a transformation when the Kuki-Naga confrontations emerged in the 1990s, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
The battles and killings occurred as a result of the NSCN’s demand to incorporate Kuki-Zo-inhabited lands into its proposed ‘Greater Nagaland’ project during the 1980s.
The insurgent factions have expressed their demand for the establishment of a sovereign territory exclusively for the Kuki-Zo ethnic group.
Are there any other currently operational insurgent organizations?
There are approximately 30 Kuki rebel organizations in Manipur, with 25 of them currently engaged in a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India and the state.
In 2008, a total of 24 insurgent groups belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, operating under the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), entered into a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the government of Manipur.
In February 2024, when the agreement was due for its yearly renewal, the Manipur government declined to dispatch a delegate.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has alleged that the groups have breached the established guidelines and incited acts of violence within the State.

The Naga Insurgency

Context

The Naga National Council (NNC) was established in April 1946 with the objective of promoting the social and political advancement of the Nagas.
Following the return of Angami Zapu Phizo, the radical leader of the Naga struggle, from Burma in 1947, the section of the Naga National Council (NNC) advocating for complete independence gained significant strength.
The Shillong Accord and the subsequent division of the Naga National Council (NNC)
The Shillong Accord, signed in 1975, involved the Government of India and a faction of the NNC leaders.
As part of the agreement, the leaders pledged to renounce violence and strive towards resolving the Naga issue within the boundaries of the Indian Constitution.
Phizo, Isak Swu, and Muivah were in opposition to it. In January 1980, Isak Swu and Muivah established the “National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)”.
Subsequently, the NSCN divided into two distinct groups, namely the NCSN (I-M) under the leadership of Isak and Muivah, and the NCSN (K) under the leadership of Khaplang.
Desire for the creation of a larger Nagaland
The NSCN-IM has been advocating for the expansion of Nagaland’s borders to include Naga-dominated regions in Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, in order to unite over 1.2 million Nagas. Additionally, they are seeking the establishment of a distinct flag and constitution.
The Naga Peace Accord
Since 1997, the NSCN (I-M) has engaged in negotiations with the Government of India and has signed multiple ceasefire agreements.
The 2015 Framework Agreement (FA)
The Centre entered into a framework agreement with the NSCN (I-M) on August 3, 2015, in order to address and settle the Naga issue.
The agreement served as a basic structure, but numerous specific aspects still needed to be resolved through careful negotiation.
Regular discussions were being conducted to meticulously plan the many aspects of the FA.
In June 2022, negotiations collapsed when the NSCN accused the mediator designated by the government of omitting three political issues.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet charging the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).

Importance

A charge sheet has been issued against five individuals, marking the initial official declaration of connections between the NSCN-IM and insurgent groups located in Imphal valley, amidst the ongoing ethnic strife.
On May 3, 2023, there was a sudden outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur, a state in northeastern India. The violence occurred between the Meitei people, who make up the majority population residing in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal minority living in the nearby hills.
Conflict escalated as the Kukis initiated protests in response to the Meiteis’ request for official recognition as a tribal group.
The Kukis contended that this would enhance their already formidable sway over the government and society, enabling them to acquire land or establish residence in predominately Kuki regions.
The NIA stated that the accused individuals engaged in a criminal conspiracy with the intention of executing violent terrorist attacks against the rival Kuki-Zo community using forbidden weapons.
The rifles and ammunition were stolen from many government sources.
The position of the NSCN
The NSCN released a statement alleging that the Indian security forces are assisting Kuki militant organizations in their conflict against the Meitei revolutionary parties in Myanmar.

Suspension of Operations (SoO) refers to the temporary halt or cessation of activities or functions.

The Suspension of Operations (SoO) is a trilateral accord inked in 2008 between the administration of India, the Manipur administration, and Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. The deal stipulates that insurgents must stay within designated camps and securely store their weapons in closed facilities for ongoing surveillance.

Source: The NIA has made allegations against NSCN. | Explained

The acronym “IDSA” stands for “Infectious Diseases Society of America.”

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