Manipur

Drug trafficking has become a major source of funding for armed groups in the north east and contributes to the continuance of militancy in the region.

• Shivananda H
• April 13, 2011
• IDSA Comments

India’s two core national security objectives of territorial integrity and sovereignty can be better achieved through individual progress and overall societal happiness especially of its ethnic minorities.

• Namrata Goswami
• April 11, 2011
• IDSA Comments

The time has come for citizens of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to stand up against the negative culture of ‘bandhs’ issued by armed groups who invariably represent only themselves, and hold their state governments accountable for poor governance.

• Namrata Goswami
• November 25, 2010
• IDSA Comments

Only social cohesion and determination by local communities to bring about peace can realistically tide over vested political interests and narrow destructive narratives that seem to be informing the present crisis between Manipur and Nagaland.

• Namrata Goswami
• June 10, 2010
• IDSA Comments

Nagas and Meiteis need to practice reciprocal restraint, generate new inclusive political narratives that focus on common values and ties, and establish a reconciliation forum to promote harmony.

• Namrata Goswami
• May 11, 2010
• IDSA Comments

Manipur has witnessed a rise in insurgency-related violence in recent years. Ordinary people are caught in the crossfire between different ethnic insurgent groups and the security forces. This paper examines the ceasefire in neighbouring Nagaland and argues that a similar ceasefire with better monitoring and enforcement could usher in relative peace in Manipur. Since the agreement on suspension of operations with Kuki insurgents is already in force and there is relative calm in Naga areas, an offer of a ceasefire to all groups is likely to bring down violence

• Gurinder Singh
• November 2008
• Strategic Analysis

Normal life in Manipur was drastically affected between March 17 and 19, 2008 when 15 migrants were killed by unidentified armed militants. While there have been accusations that local militants might have been behind the killings, militant groups have categorically denied their involvement. There is likelihood that foreign terrorist groups were involved in the killings to create ethnic apprehension and conflict between migrants and natives.

• T. Khurshchev Singh
• April 29, 2008
• IDSA Comments

Manipur has the dubious distinction of having the maximum numbers of bandhs, which adversely affect its economy and inconvenience the people. Though directed against the state, these bandhs underscore the deepening polarization of society and polity there. With about two dozens militant groups, Manipur is one of the most volatile states in India.

• M. Amarjeet Singh
• October 05, 2007
• IDSA Comments

The first time arrest of three Manipuri Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members in Delhi on December 19, 2006 indicated the existence of direct linkages between Pakistan-based terrorists and the Meitei Pangal (Muslim) ultras. The incident has revealed once again the capabilities of the terrorist organisation to penetrate and established intricate networks in all corners of the country. It has also revealed a new trend wherein Manipur, with its unemployed minority Muslim youth, seems to be emerging as a fresh recruiting ground for the LeT.

• T. Khurshchev Singh
• January 22, 2007
• IDSA Comments

India's "troubled Northeast' has become a catch-all phrase for the region, and leads to the perception that the entire region is in a state of near-anarchy. The reality is otherwise; analysis shows that patterns of violence have been showing continuous decline in the region as a whole over the past few years and, more significantly, that the current violence is now substantially concentrated in the states of Manipur and Assam.

• M. Amarjeet Singh
• December 09, 2006
• IDSA Comments