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Military Gains in Manipur Highlight Government Neglect and Deepening Crisis

In a series of recent operations, Indian security forces, comprising the Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police, have seized a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives across various districts in Manipur. These operations spanned Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur, among others, aiming to disrupt insurgent activities and restore order. While the recovery of 35 weapons, including modified sniper rifles, pistols, grenades, and IEDs, highlights the operational efficiency of the forces, it also lays bare the government’s failure to address the root causes of Manipur’s decades-long unrest.

Despite these military successes, the state’s deepening crisis stems from persistent socio-ethnic tensions and government neglect. The central government’s silence on critical issues like ethnic inequality, political marginalization, and underdevelopment has allowed the situation to spiral out of control. The lack of meaningful dialogue or proactive measures to address these grievances is pushing the region further into chaos, encouraging locals to take up arms to protect themselves in the absence of reliable state protection.

The northeast, and Manipur in particular, has long been a flashpoint for conflict due to its unique ethnic diversity and complex socio-political landscape. However, the Indian government has consistently relied on militarized solutions to address insurgency, deploying troops and enforcing laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). While these measures may achieve short-term stability, they often alienate local communities and exacerbate existing mistrust between the state and its people. Allegations of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings, further fuel resentment.

The ongoing insurgent activities underscore the deep discontent among various ethnic groups. Groups like the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and KCP(PWG) continue to find support from locals who feel abandoned by the government. The recent apprehension of KYKL cadres near the Indo-Myanmar border highlights the persistence of these networks despite decades of counter-insurgency efforts.

Manipur’s instability has been compounded by the central government’s failure to prioritize socio-economic development and resolve ethnic disputes. The region remains one of India’s least developed, with poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and limited economic opportunities. This lack of progress has widened the gap between the government’s promises of development and the grim realities on the ground. Critics argue that this disconnect is emboldening locals to take matters into their own hands, resorting to arms in the face of state inaction.

The recent operations reveal a disturbing trend: civilians are increasingly arming themselves, driven by fear and frustration over the government’s inability to ensure their safety. In districts like Bishnupur and Tengnoupal, the recovery of weapons from local groups suggests a growing reliance on self-defense mechanisms. This alarming development highlights the erosion of public trust in the state’s ability to maintain law and order.

The Indian government’s silence on the core issues driving Manipur’s crisis is both troubling and counterproductive. By ignoring the underlying ethnic tensions and socio-economic challenges, the state is perpetuating a cycle of violence and alienation. Militarized solutions, while effective in disrupting insurgent networks, do little to address the grievances that lead to such conflicts in the first place.

The collateral damage of these operations cannot be overlooked. Cordon-and-search activities disrupt civilian life, instill fear, and deepen the divide between local communities and security forces. The heavy-handed approach often paints the government as an oppressor rather than a protector, further isolating the people it claims to serve. In the absence of decisive action, the government’s neglect and silence will only encourage further unrest, pushing more people toward arms as a desperate means of self-preservation. The cost of such inaction will not only be borne by Manipur but by India as a whole.

Author

  • Sara Nazir is an Islamabad-based researcher with a background in Strategic Studies & area of interest is non-traditional warfare. She can be reached on saranazeer2@gmail.com & @SaraNazir13 (on X).

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Sara Nazir

Sara Nazir is an Islamabad-based researcher with a background in Strategic Studies & area of interest is non-traditional warfare. She can be reached on saranazeer2@gmail.com & @SaraNazir13 (on X).

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