The people of Manipur have major concerns about the Indian state in light of the Kuki insurgents’ recent attacks on the Meitei, which have included ballistic missiles and drone strikes over the last several days. A 70-year-old man performing a ceremony at Sendra in Moirang was slain in the most recent missile and drone bombing raids. On the first day of the drone attack at Koutruk, numerous people were hurt, including a small child, and her mother passed away.
The ongoing conflicts have caused further casualties and raised doubts about the ability of the Indian state and its armed forces to ensure the safety of the people.
National media claims foreign hands were involved in the attacks. Speculation regarding potential foreign involvement, particularly from China or the US, has further complicated the situation. Given the presence of intelligence agencies like RAW and IB within the Indian state, one would expect a more proactive response to such security threats.
People are questioning why, given its powerful military, intelligence, and armed forces, the Indian state appears to be doing little or not responding at all if foreign involvement is confirmed. The Indian government’s lack of a robust response to these attacks has fueled mistrust among the people of Manipur. They wonder if the threat is considered only a concern for the Meitei community and the idea of Manipur, rather than a national security issue.
The presence of security personnel in Manipur has not deterred attacks on the Meitei community, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Indian armed forces and intelligence agencies. The inability to thwart these conflicts has undermined trust in the government’s capacity to safeguard the citizens of Manipur and uphold the contractual obligations established with the Union of India in 1949 (Merger Agreement).
The Chief Minister has already asserted that the responsibility for maintaining peace and order in the Hills region lies with the Central Government. Operating under the watchful eye of the HM and Indian armed forces, Kuki insurgents enjoy convenient access to lethal weaponry such as ballistic missiles and drone bombs.
The presence of over 70,000 soldiers and intelligence personnel in Manipur has not prevented these insurgents from launching sophisticated attacks against the Meitei community. Questions arise regarding the failure to intercept or gather intelligence before the recent missile and drone assaults.
How did the Kuki manage to carry out these attacks with such advanced arms despite the presence of Indian central forces? It remains unclear whether the Indian military is insufficiently equipped to combat militants or if the government is either ignorant or powerless.
The effectiveness and accountability of the Indian state are causes for concern. The state’s failure to address the security concerns of Manipur, inability to prevent attacks, and lack of accountability have led to doubts about its commitment to protecting its citizens. The issue at hand is not just about the Kuki insurgency; it is also about the Indian government’s tolerance of these attacks.
India’s struggle for dominance in global political power becomes questionable when it can’t resolve ethnic conflicts within its borders. This perspective suggests India may be too weak to engage in the global political power struggle.
The source of the arms remains a vital question. How did the Kuki acquire a substantial arsenal of weapons, ammunition, bombs, and missiles, particularly considering that these items were likely imported from foreign sources?
Or did they manage to procure them domestically? The difficulty of clandestinely bringing such armaments into an Indian state like Manipur, which is heavily guarded by the Indian army and paramilitary forces, raises further queries about Kuki’s capabilities to import these materials with apparent ease. The methods employed by Kuki to obtain weaponry from neighbouring nations, despite the significant military presence and intelligence operations in Manipur, remain shrouded in mystery.
It remains uncertain whether an internal power structure facilitates the acquisition or if an unidentified entity within the state is responsible for the supply. Given the integration with the Indian state in 1949, the citizens of Manipur are entitled to the protection guaranteed to them as Indian citizens. The sustained conflict, recent drone strikes, missile attacks, and continuous threats to the territorial integrity of Manipur underscore the apparent failure of the Indian government to defend Manipur and its inhabitants and to uphold the agreements established between the Union of India and King Bodhachandra.
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