Manipur is on high security alert following intelligence reports indicating the infiltration of over 900 Kuki militants from Myanmar, as per a report by India Today.
The militants are reportedly organized in groups of 30 and are currently scattered in peripheral areas. They are expected to launch coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around September 28, 2024, according to the intelligence. These militants are believed to be trained in drone-based warfare, utilizing bombs, missiles, and projectiles, as well as specialized in jungle warfare tactics.
Security Adviser to Manipur, Kuldeep Singh, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The intelligence report cannot be taken lightly,” as reported by NDTV. He further added, “Unless and until it is proven wrong, we believe that it is 100% accurate.”
A critical point raised by Kuldeep Singh is that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for drone usage have not been enforced by security agencies in the state. The SOP mandates that drones cannot be used without proper permission from authorities. Senior Superintendents of Police along the India-Myanmar border in southern Manipur received this intelligence report on Thursday.
This infiltration coincides with ongoing conflicts between ethnic armed groups in Myanmar’s Chin State and other regions, which have been resisting the junta. With India sharing a border with Myanmar, some incidents of violence have occurred near the border. There have also been reports of junta troops crossing into India after being overrun by Chin State rebels.
The infiltration also follows a year-long period of violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which have been driven by disputes over quotas and economic benefits. This unrest has created an environment where illegal infiltration has become easier on a large scale.
In a related development, a day earlier, a joint operation by the Indian Army and Manipur Police led to the recovery of a large cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the hilly regions of Imphal East district.
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