Manipur of India has been placed on high alert following intelligence reports suggesting the entry of 900 suspected Kuki militants from Myanmar, a senior security official revealed on Friday.
However, the Kuki community's main representative body swiftly denied these claims and called for the resignation of the official in question. Kuldiep Singh, security adviser for Manipur, stated that the intelligence on the alleged militant influx had been shared with various agencies.
Since May 2023, Manipur has been in turmoil due to violent clashes between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities, driven by disputes over economic privileges and quotas. Singh reported that border police have been put on high alert, and search operations are underway in the hill districts, which are predominantly inhabited by Kuki tribes.
The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), representing the Kuki community, rejected the allegations, accusing Singh of spreading misinformation and failing to protect their people. In a statement, they called for his resignation, citing a lack of security for their community under his leadership.
The Kuki ethnic group in southern Manipur shares ties with Myanmar's Chin tribe. Recent intelligence reports have linked the community to drone-delivered explosive attacks, which Kuki representatives have denied. The attacks have sparked protests by Meitei groups in Imphal, demanding action against the alleged militants.
Despite ongoing efforts to restore peace, sporadic violence persists, with 11 fatalities recorded earlier this month. Since the unrest began in May 2023, more than 237 people have lost their lives, and over 60,000 have been displaced from their homes in the state, which has a population of 3.2 million.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attributed the unrest to the influx of refugees following Myanmar's military coup in 2021. In response, the government revoked the visa-free movement policy along the 1,650-km border with Myanmar and announced plans to build a border fence, a move that has drawn criticism from Kuki groups with cross-border familial ties.
Manipur remains deeply divided, with Meitei-controlled valleys and Kuki-dominated hill regions separated by a no-man’s land monitored by federal paramilitary forces.
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