The minds of the people of Manipur particularly the Meiteis have been terrorised further for more than 10 days since the leakage of the intelligence input whether it is true or not that over 900 Kuki militants, newly trained in the use of drone-based bombs, projectiles, missiles, and jungle warfare, have entered Manipur from Myanmar. The leaked intelligence communications stated that these militants are reportedly grouped in units of 30 members each, scattered across the periphery, and are expected to launch multiple coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around September 28.
The UO note to the Director General of Police of Manipur signed by Secretary to Chief Minister Ningthoujam Geoffrey, marked IMMEDIATE bearing No. 1/25/2024-CM dated Imphal, September 16, 2024 requesting the Police Department to take all necessary measures was leaked and had gone viral on social media. It was also copied to the Chief Secretary, the Security Advisor, and the Commissioner (Home) of Manipur.
The leaked communiocation says, “Reports have been received that over 900 Kuki militants, newly trained in use of drone-based bombs, projectiles, missiles and jungle warfare have entered Manipur from Myanmar. They are reportedly grouped in units of 30 members each and currently scattered in the periphery, and expected to launch multiple coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around 28 September, 2024.”
The leakage of such intelligence communication has triggered and spread panic among the people of Manipur who have already been exposed to the violent conflict for 17 months.
While the people of Manipur are confused over the intelligence input, another security message issued on September 19 from senior SP Thoubal to additional SP Thoubal, OC Thoubal Police and other officials came out in public domain and went viral social media, which led the public to believe the leaked intelligence communication from Manipur Chief Minister’s Office.
Consequently, on September 20, Security Advisor to the Manipur Government Kuldiep Singh stated that intelligence reports have been shared with security chiefs regarding the infiltration of over 900 trained armed militants from Myanmar into Indian Territory in Manipur, while combined forces of State and Central Security have been alerted in strategic areas, including border regions.
At a press conference held at Durbar Hall, CM Secretariat, Imphal, Kuldiep said that a Strategic Operation Group (SOG) meeting was conducted on September 18, chaired by him, to discuss the deployment of security forces in key areas of Manipur. The meeting was attended by the chief of Assam Rifles (IGAR-South, IGAR-East), GOC 57 Mountain Division, chief of BSF, DGP Manipur, Home Commissioner, DG of CRPF Manipur, and other senior security officers.
The Security Adisor also informed the media that security forces have been put on alert in various districts, including Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Kamjong.
More importantly, the Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, while addressing the press conference in Imphal on September 20, had said the government was aware of intelligence inputs regarding the entry of 900 Kuki militants into Manipur from Myanmar and possible attacks on Meitei villages on September 28 and “unless it is proven wrong, it is hundred percent correct.”
Most surprisingly, instead of communicating offically, the Indian Army on September 22, 2024, through a social media post, sought information from Manipur Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh to provide details on intelligence regarding the alleged entry of 900 Kuki militants from Myanmar on September 28. The post on X was later deleted.
The post on X handle by Spear Corps, Indian Army said, “These inputs have very serious security implications and the office of Security Adviser has been requested to share the details so that appropriate necessary action can be taken at the earliest.”
A report also added that the intelligence inputs were yet to be shared with the Army.
It may be mentioned that the Assam Rifles (AR), which is under the operational control of the Indian Army, is the primary border guarding force deployed along Indo-Myanmar boundary. The 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border runs along the North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).
It is also said that more than 60,000 Central Security personnel deployed in Manipur currently which includes, Army, AR, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPS) and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
At least 237 people have been killed in the violent conflict between Kuki-Zomi militants and the Meiteis since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are languishing in relief camps.
On the other hand, the Kuki Inpi Manipur alleged Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh of issuing “fabricated inputs” about the infiltration of 900 Kuki militants in Manipur.
A release issued on September 21 by Secretary, information and publicity Janghaolun Haokip stated that such baseless allegations are not only unfounded but also reflect a grievous act of misinformation designed to target the Kuki-Zo community.
The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) General Headquarters also on September 21 denounced the claims of the Security Advisor over the entry of 900 Kuki militants into Manipur from Myanmar and percieved it as more of ‘propoganda’.
Consequnelty, a number of Kuki-Zomi groups like Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on September 24 announced total shutdown in “Kuki-Zo areas” during September 26 to 29 saying that there are indicators that an attack plan is being intended towards the “Kuki-Zo”. The 900 armed men from Myanmar who are supposedly moving must be a ruse for attacking the “Kuki-Zo”.
The shutdown includes no travelling outside “Kuki-Zo areas” during September 26 to 29; closure of borders during September 26 to 29; closure of schools, institutions and offices from September 27 to 29; total shutdown on September 28, 2024 excluding emergency services like medical, fire, water and media.
The announcement also directed all village volunteers and citizens to be on alert. It also further directed medical teams and ambulance (private and government) to be on stand by during September 26 to 29, 2024.
Following these, the Government has backtracted the intelligence input of 900 Kuki militants entering itno Manipur to attack the Meitei villages around September 28, 2024.
The Chief Minister’s Office of Manipur on September 25 issued an unofficial note, declaring that the possibility of an attack by 900 well-trained Kuki militants who reportedly arrived from Myanmar is now remote, announcing that the public need not worry further. It is now ascertained that possibility of any such misadventure by armed groups is remote, said the note signed by Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Secretary to Chief Minister of Manipur.
Likewise, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh on September 25, 2024 issued a clarification, stating that in view of the recent reactions from different communities regarding input of infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants from Myanmar to carry out attacks on Meiteis on September 28 was verified from different quarters, but it could not be substantiated on ground.
The clarification further stated, “There is no basis currently to believe in any such input. However, security forces deployed on the ground are placed on a high alert to protect the lives and properties of citizens. All communities are assured of their safety. They are advised not to believe in any rumors or unverified information.”
However, the pertinent question at the first place – why is an intelligence input allowed to be leaked?
Moreover, once leaked and went on viral in social media and would be backtracted, why was the Security Advisor affirmative of the intelligence input and claimed that “unless it is proven wrong, it is hundred percent correct.” Was the Security Advisor compelled to do so due to the eruption of violence in Jiribam despite early warnings from Chief Minister’s Office?
Earlier, a similar confidential official letter on January 15, 2024 from the Chief Minister’s Office, signed by the Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Secretary to the Chief Minister, also went viral on social media. The letter directed the DGP, Manipur, to take precautionary measures, stating that about 200 armed Kuki-Zo militants had moved from Churachandpur and reached Phaitol village, Old and New Keiphundai areas of Tamenglong, bordering Jiribam district. After some months, violence erupted in Jiribam district after a 59-year-old man was killed on June 6 by Kuki militants and the violence still continues unabated.
Or is Manipur Chief Minister’s Office vulnerable to be fed and leaked such intelligence input so that the vested interested parties could blame?
Neverthless, the big and pertinent question which remains unanswered – Why was the intelligence input whether true or untrue allowed to be leaked and backtracted again? – Was it to provoke the Meiteis to fight back the Kuki militants or to demoralise the Meiteis making vulnerable to Kuki-Zomi militants? Is the leakage of the intelligence input a ploy for a greater game plan of the Government? Or is it failure of the State Intelligence? Why does the State (both Government of India and Government of Manipur) confuse the people of Manipur further? Eventhough the Government backtracted the intelligence input, the damage has already been done on the people of Manipur particularly Meiteis and they are living with fear and uncertainty.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
