It is also a fact that the Naga Club and Pan Manipuri Youth League, basically cultural organizations, developed into viable political organs and today both stand as they are - one as NSCN and the other as UNLF with well defined aims. Over the years, a yawning communication gap creating misunderstanding and no efforts by political, regional powers to conciliate, rampant political and bureaucratic corruption, fuelled the psyches of both. Lack of development of basic infrastructure necessary for growth in the hills came to be attributed to disturbances in the hills, and indifferent insensitive Govt. policies and priorities of developing valley areas first has fanned an armed struggle shaping into the insurgency as we see today.

Due to the proliferation of a number of underground organizations, developmental activities undertaken by the State were impeded which led to the deterioration of basic infrastructure and amenities like roads, communications, water, electricity, health care service and even education. Further due to limited availability of any kind of employment opportunities and large scale poverty amongst the masses, grievances multiplied and insurgency was accepted by the youth as a natural corollary to alternative employment that could provide them with easy money and status.

The deployment of Security Forces in the State managed to keep the insurgency within tolerable limits until 1990's i.e., their move out for ‘Operation Vijay' to Kashmir. This de-induction led to creation of a large void especially in southern and western Manipur which were hither-to-fore thinly held. This depletion of troops enabled the UGs to have a free run and consolidate their positions and hold sway over weaker tribes by establishing camps, and procuring state of art weapons from Bangladesh, (ISI sponsored of Pakistan), with Myanmar providing another haven for UG camps. However, in the beginning of year 2002 there was again an increase in deployment of SF's in the State which, to a great extent has succeeded in checking the deteriorating trend and forcing the UGs to hide their weapons in caches and dominating the scene through frontal organizations. 'Sajik Tampak' is the case in point. The SF through their extensive control measures which on few occasions would have also involved perceived human rights violations, have succeeded in damage control of their image, drug smuggling and extortion/tax collection and thus reduced the revenue generation of UGs, but pathetically it provided wide spread revenues to various splinter groups of all hues due to NSCN (IM) peace strategy with the Government of India enjoying freedom of movement in all the North Eastern States. The media further gave boost to the morale of the UGs in projecting them as invincible(s) and the Center certifying it by signing a ceasefire instead of suspension of the Operation on the Septeber 1964 lines with FGN/NNC.

It is a matter of consideration that the Security Forces has been successful in instilling a sense of security and confidence in the people of Manipur. Earlier the people lived under constant fear of the UGs and were hesitant to interact with the Security Forces. But now they have started interacting freely with the the SF’s as is witnessed by large turnouts in medical camps, recruitment rallies and educational tours organized by them. Even the Meira Paibis have of late, come out in the open lauding the various women oriented schemes and good will measures of the SFs and at places they have openly reacted to the dictatorial acts of the UGs whereas earlier they used to fight with IRB/SF personnel to ensure releases of captives/detainees from the custody of the Security Forces. Both happened in extreme situations.

It appears that these associations of brave Manipuri ladies have started to be seen through the activities of various splinter groups of UG organizations hampering the activities and creating serious social problems including moral turpitude and have started reacting against injustices and miseries perpetrated on innocents by them. Consequently, in the recent past, there have been many instances in which Meira Paibis have prevented UGs from carrying out offensive activities against SF's and have condemned the UG actions. The following incidents are indicative:-

(a) In May 2005 the Meira Paibis of Kakching Khunou village staged a massive protest rally after UGs had executed fathers of two UGs who had surrendered to the CM of Manipur. Despite UGs threat, the Meira Paibis approached nearby Assam Rifles on pangs of sufferings of the aggrieved families consisting of five males, six ladies and five children. Same unit provided all aid and shifted them to their unit lines. Two of the boys of the family were subsequently enrolled in to AR. In a village where earlier there was a UG in almost every house, the SF now moves around to perform their duty of providing a secure environment with the full co-operation from the villagers, thus negating the activities of the UGs in the area.

(b) In Aug 2005 a few cadres of one armed group was seen in Wabagai probably with an intention of planting an IED or action against the SF's on Kakching-Sugnu axis. They were forced to flee on intervention by civilians, especially on the Meira Paibis dictates. Similar to that in Aug 2005 itself an IED was detected on Wabagai-Sugnu axis a route which was frequented by SF's near village Lamjao with the help from Meira Paibis.

(c) On 15th Oct, 2005, Ningel village under Yairipok PS overpowered two alleged NSCN (IM) cadres while trying to hijack a Maruti car with a person who was on his way to attend a wedding. The said UGs were handed over to the police along with two single barrel guns duly loaded.

(d) On 18th Oct 2005, two suspected NSCN (IM) cadres were nabbed by the people of Pallel area who thrashed them black and blue. This was as a sequel to an incident in the same area wherein, on Oct 15th, another cadre of NSCN (IM) was nabbed by the locals, while he was attempting to abduct a doctor. These are a few of many happenings which are on the increase day by day.

Due to the prevalent secure environment, people have started coming out openly against the extortion demands of UGs like:-

(a) On 05th Jan 05, the complete Kakching market was shut for two days against the demands of UGs from business association of Kakching.
(b) On 23rd Jul 2005, more than 4000 students took out a peace rally in Kakching town against illegal demands of UGs from school authorities.
(c) On 14th Jul 05, about 12 village Pradhans of Langmeidong block had submitted mass resignations to DC Thoubal in protest against UG’s extortion demand. The UGs had demanded a share out of money allotted to village Pradhans for village development.
(d) In yet another case three militants had come to Kakching market for collecting money who were caught and beaten by the public. They managed to escape but one of them was seriously bruised.

Earlier also, in the same locality, three cadres were beaten and handed over to police by public. Such outrage against UG outfits is a changed trend in the history of insurgency in Manipur.

The recruitment of youths into the Assam Rifles and the Army has made the youth realize the futility of militancy and now more and more youths are coming forward eager to don the uniform. The changing attitude of social groups, civilian administration tightening their belt to face the insurgency challenges and the increased civilian military co­operation has forced the UGs on the back foot.

They are now resorting to many a means to tarnish the image of the Security Forces in in the eyes of the Government, trying to terrorize the people by beating them and closing shops forcibly. They have even prevented youths recruited in the villages by the SF from joining training. In a recent incident one militant group picked up two Muslim youths from Lilong village and shot them dead near Umathel.

The large number of UG groups existing in Manipur and their extortion demands have made the people realize that most of them are deviating from their main aim. They are also finding it difficult to recruit cadres for their groups as the youths of Manipur appear to be not interested in joining the UG groups as they realize the futility of this course of action. Most UG groups are now basically into extortion from shops, businessmen and on occasions waylay buses and taxis to loot money in the name of important insurgent groups. In any case most of the younger cadres in the factions are doing this only because they have nothing else to do. In a way insurgency has became a cottage industry in Manipur which belies the efforts of genuine groups with set political independence to uphold the territorial integrity of the state which stands threatened by the NSCN (IM) demand of creating Nagalim.

There are numerous reports of inter-factional clashes taking place amongst the UG groups for reasons like sharing of tax/booty money or settling jurisdiction over areas of tax collection. On 07th Sep an inter-factional clash between cadres of PREPAK at Nongmaikhong resulted in death of one of the activist of the rival group speaks loudly of the situation.

The execution of Henry, an activist of PREPAK involved in the murder of Poonam of Nongmaikhong by his own group and the subsequent denial by the group that he was ever an active member of their group also proves the tenuous situation.

The recent incident wherein two activists of KCP were executed by UNLF, on charges of extortion and harassment of innocent civilians only further leads to searching fo such assumptions.

The undecided case of the death of Lungnila Elizabeth which created a State wide spontaneous sympathy for the up coming star of a state is a puzzle.

Three agencies were involved in apprehending the involved persons - a UG group - Meira Paibis and civil police, the culprit however landed in the custody of the NSCN(IM) and no clue or motive for the murder is determined yet, leave alone seeking justice for the criminal act.

Manipur today is at the cross roads of its political and cultural identity as homogeneous pride of earlier Princely State stands caught in differing ideologies. Cultural in the sense of maintaining Hills & Valley unity and now the general public has started feeling that they have reached plateau in this field.

The SF's have now reassigned for them a supportive role to the State Govt. to bring normalcy back in Manipur. The SF’s will have to continue to provide environmental security so that the state machinery can progress the peace process forward in the manner which GOI desires, with UNLF too.

Winning hearts and minds was always a part of counter insurgency operations. Earlier it was a secondary task but now under the changed CI environment in Manipur this facet of Counter Insurgency operation has become more pronounced hence more time and effort is invested in civic action projects than actual operations. The SF's have become a development agency for Manipur rather than a force to be feared. I wonder why abnormal increase in IED blasts in the state, and the surreptitious sneaking of a third major force close from the neighboring nation (Bangladesh) in shape of illegal migrants is not catching up with any individual may be - intellectual, governmental, or revolutionary or student body.

Are we not wise to read through the lines of important national dailies warning us about violence launched by Islamic Fundamentalists in Bangladesh and internationally? Are we not aware of the mess Dimapur, Mokokchung (Nagaland) have landed due to influence of Bangladeshi nationals? Do we think we Manipuris can guard our integrity, national security, if we keep fighting amongst ourselves? It is time to wake up and security forces also need to ensure maximum trigger and baton control over innocents as times and again resorting to settling of issues in dispute on local customs may land them deep into disrepute.

Couter Insurgency environs sometimes missing a real kill at the cost of saving lives and properties of the innocents not involved in the conflict do pay better dividends at some stage or the other. It is a tried out fact and a good future asset of winning public support in today’s hazy and confused situation where every act of the Security Forces is under the scan of the human rights activists without daring to raise a finger at the UG atrocities.

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)