Insurgency in Manipur

The Insurgency in Manipur is an ongoing armed conflict between between India and a number of separatist rebel groups, taking place in the region of Manipur. The Insurgency in Manipur is part of the wider Insurgency in Northeast India, it combines elements of a national liberation war as well as an ethnic conflict.

Background
Manipur's long tradition of independence can be traced to the foundation of the Kangleipak State in 1110. The Kingdom of Manipur was conquered by Great Britain following the brief Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, becoming a British protectorate.

The Manipur became a part of the Indian Union on 15 October 1949. Manipur's incorporation into the Indian state soon led to the formation of a number of insurgent organisations, seeking the creation of an independent state within the borders of Manipur, and dismissing the merger with India as involuntary. The first separatist faction known as United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was founded on 24 November 1964. 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.

Despite the fact that Manipur became a separate state of the Indian Union on 21 January 1972, the insurgency continued. 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 parallel rise of Naga nationalism in neighbouring 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.The rise of tribal militias culminated in ethnic violence that took place during the 1990s.

In contrast with the other wars forming the Insurgency in Northeast India, Manipuri rebels are characterised by a low level of defections and a well organised intelligence network. The rebels have also avoided targeting local police personell, thus aiming to secure popular support.

Extortion remains the main source of funding for militant groups, 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. Rebels have also resorted to abducting children and later employing them as child soldiers.

Timeline
On 4 July 2000, 18 insurgents surrendered to the authorities of Imphal in the presence of Manipur Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh.

On 18 September 2001, the Indian military killed 5 PLA members during a shootout in the Khoupum valley, Tamenglong district.

On 10 February 2003, a KYKL ambush leads to the death of 5 Border Security Force personnel, in Leingangtabi along the Imphal-Moreh road.

On 16 January 2005, security forces uncovered a PLA camp in Theogtang Zoukanou, Churachandpur district. A total of 76 rifles, 20 small arms and large amounts of ammunition were seized.

On 30 June 2005, 5 policemen and 4 PLA rebels were slain in a clash, in Thangjng Ching, Churachandpur district. A radio set, weapons as well as documentation were confiscated from the dead guerrillas.

On 17 August 2007, police arrested 12 militants from the official residences of three Members of Legislative Assembly in Imphal.

On 31 November 2010, authorities detained UNLF chairman Rajkumar Meghen, the incident took place in Motihari, Bihar.

On 15 April 2011, a NSCN-IM ambush resulted in the death of 8 people and the injury of 6 others, the victims belonged to the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Manipur police. The incident took place in Wungnaoshang Keishing, Ukhrul district.

On 1 August, 2011, 5 people were killed and 8 others injured when National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah militants detonated a bomb outside a barber shop in the Sanghakpam Bazaar, Imphal.

On 30 April 2012, 103 militants belonging to UNLF, PULF, KYKL, PREPAK, KNLF, KCP,  PLA,  UNPC,  NSCN-IM,  NSCN-K, UPPK and KRPA and KRF, surrendered before the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh during a ceremony at Mantripukhri in the Imphal West District.

On 20 February 2015, security forces conducted a number of raids in the areas of Wangjing and Khongtal, arresting 5 PREPAK cadres.