Government signs peace deal with an insurgent group from Manipur: A look at the security situation in the state

By: Yash Gupte

The perceived dissatisfaction over Manipur's purported "forced" merger with the Union of India and the consequent delay in awarding it full statehood is largely responsible for the growth of separatist insurgency in Manipur.

In order to fulfill and achieve the goal of ‘Insurgency Free and Prosperous North East,’ the Government of India and the Government of Manipur entered into a Cessation of Operation Agreement in New Delhi with the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) that had been active for more than a decade. The agreement was signed by senior officers of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Govt. of Manipur and the representatives of ZUF in the presence of the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh. ZUF has its stronghold in Zeliangrong-dominated Tamenglong and the newly set up Noney districts. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement that the agreement would be a significant boost to the peace process in Manipur.

The Ministry further added that “Representatives of the armed Group agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by law of the land. The agreement provides for rehabilitation and re-settlement of the armed cadres. A Joint Monitoring Group will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.” Considering the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Central Government, Govt. of Manipur and the ZUF, India Tracker takes a look at the insurgency and the security situation in Manipur.

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which is now one of the most potent militant groups, was founded in 1964, marking the beginning of the insurgency in Manipur. The perceived dissatisfaction over Manipur's purported "forced" merger with the Union of India and the consequent delay in awarding it full statehood is largely responsible for the growth of separatist insurgency in Manipur. The People's Liberation Army (PLA), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), among others, were among the militant groups that were founded in subsequent years. These valley-based outfits have been demanding an independent Manipur.

People's Liberation Army(PLA) and its political wing, Revolutionary People's Front(RPF), United National Liberation Front(UNLF) and its Armed wing, the Manipur People's Army(MPA), Peoples' Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak(PREPAK), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) and the Manipur People's Liberation Front(MPLF) are some of insurgent groups in Manipur designated as terrorist organizations and unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs

The number of incidents of violence has dropped from 298 in 2011 to 112 in 2021. This shows that though Manipur has not remained peaceful, but there is at least an improvement in the security situation in the state. The highest number of incidents of violence were reported in 2008 (740). One of the major issues involved in the signing of suspension of operations agreement with the insurgent groups is the conflict of interest between various insurgent groups in the state. Since, the demands of many of the outfits conflict with each other, any conventional agreement with one group becomes a cause for agitation by other groups. Though there has been a decrease in the incidents of violence, deaths of extremists, security forces and the civilians, the militant groups have not been totally wiped out of the state. There has been a tendency for the factions of an insurgent group to continue the armed revolt by another faction, with only a change in name or by founding a new group, given that peace discussions are ongoing with the insurgent groups.

Being a border state with a porous international border and a difficult jungle environment, Manipur continues to witness an influx of arms and cross-border movement of insurgent groups that depend on other nations for training and other logistical support.

In Manipur which has 16 districts,  15 police stations in six districts were taken out of the periphery of the disturbed area. Earlier in 2004, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was lifted from the municipal areas of Imphal. The areas where the AFSPA continued are adjacent to Nagaland or share international boundary with Myanmar. AFSPA has been heavily criticised by the human rights groups due to its nature which grants extra-ordinary powers to the security forces. 

But in order to put an end to the insurgency by not only neutralizing the insurgents but by helping them in leading a civilized and peaceful life after their surrender, the Government of India has taken several positive steps. One of those steps is the Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of militants in North East. The MHA has been implementing the scheme from January 1, 1998 to wean away the misguided youth who strayed into the fold of insurgency and later find themselves trapped into that net. The Scheme also seeks to ensure that insurgents, who have surrendered, do not find it attractive to join insurgency again. Certain benefits are provided to the surrendered insurgents. An immediate grant of Rs. 4 lakhs to each surrenderee which is to be kept in the name of the surrenderee as Fixed Deposit in a bank for a period of 3 years, Payment of stipend of Rs. 6,000 per month to each surrenderee for a period of three years and Incentives for weapons/ammunitions surrendered by the insurgents.

Though the Indian government and the Government of Manipur have taken several steps to ensure peace and tranquility in Manipur, there’s more need to be done. Proper border management and several good governance initiatives must be implemented in the state through a transparent government, fair judiciary system, respect for the rule of law, and the provision of the minimum basic amenities like hospitals, schools, police stations in the remote areas.