Manipur ... 'action please' :::: Hyper-transition in 2026 is thus "not without good reasons" ::::: At least 100 armoured vehicles have been sent to Manipur in the past two months ::::: Locals say neither Kuki nor Naga deputy CM has visited the violence-hit areas !!

“ ... Anyone found with a gun is to be arrested or fired upon, if they do not surrender” -- the orders are explicitly clear. 

'Neutralise miscreants and gun-totting boys if found roaming with weapons in civilian areas of Manipur' -- This strategy has created havoc in many quarters.

In June 2026, displaying the determination to take on the ultras of all hues; the CRPF inducted two battalions of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). 

The elite COBRA forces was immensely successful in their operations against Maoists.  

Timber movement - a fact of life - and has endorsement of major ultra groups 

Giving positive and determined signals; Home Minister Amit Shah told NEC meeting in Shillong not long ago that the insurgency in northeast is no longer an issue or is over. 

"The Modi government ended the era of violence in the Northeast and transformed the region from a hotspot of disputes to a hotspot of opportunities," he said.

This also means - whenever there are troubles in future - go for 'action'.

Crucial NEC Meet :

 

The NSCN-IM ambush against Assam Rifles has been taken seriously by concerned authorities.

The CRPF now has understandably told forces in the state to use armoured vehicles and also avoid sudden deployment.

The forces have been categorically told to take action against armed miscreants and “anyone found with a gun is to be arrested or fired upon, if they do not surrender”.

Besides as ambushes on Assam Rifles in Manipur, an IED was planted  in Nagaland and even this time the Assam Rifles were targeted.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units deployed in Manipur have been instructed to use only armoured vehicles for movement and to avoid sudden or unplanned deployments.

Writing on the wall: Blogger in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur 

In June, the CRPF inducted two battalions of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a specialised unit raised for anti-Maoist operations, in Manipur.

Of course the move is to step up operations against armed groups, dismantling of bunkers, and recovery of weapons.

At least 100 armoured vehicles have been sent to Manipur in the past two months.

The CRPF is the largest Central security force deployed in Manipur, with 200 companies comprising around 20,000 personnel. 

In addition to the CRPF, the State has around 100 Border Security Force companies, comprising approximately 10,000 personnel.

There are about 26000 personnel and officers from the Assam Rifles and the Indian Army deployed across the region.

The CoBRA battalions have been given pre-induction training in crowd management as the State often witnesses obstruction by locals, especially women, during security-related operations.

The central forces including CRPF has been asked to avoid any sudden movement for administrative or operational reasons. 

They have also been asked to take action against armed miscreants, anyone found with a gun is to be arrested or fired upon, if they do not surrender. 

This strategy has clearly unnerved groups both in the valley and the hills. In the Naga region; the Eastern Flank and the NSCN-IM have been hyper active in recent times. 

Trouble times in Manipur : 2023 

It was at Litan in Tangkhul-Naga dominated Ukhrul on February 7-8, 2026 that tension between Kukis and Nagas escalated.

"It did not happen ... out of nowhere," says an informed source under eastern command ... well aware of certain key developments in the camps of various ultra groups.

Analysts and retired 'experts' also say the "ethnic conflict of 2023" was confined to Meiteis and Kukis.

The hyper-transition in 2026 is thus "not without good reasons". 

Some groups do feel their 'dominance' with arms as well in terms of perception may soon be challenged. 

Hence, the malady of the 1990s - that are clashes and 'hatred' between the Kuki and Meitei have now 'resurfaced and expanded'.

There are still 'differences in opinion' and hence "deployment" of the CoBRA battalions in the hill districts of Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur, Kangpokpi (near Imphal with mixed influence) and Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul is being thought about.

Life goes on : Manipur's Jiribam region near Assam

The centre has been applying varying formulae for Manipur. 

In 2025, new Governor Ajay Bhalla, a former Babu and who worked closely with Amit Shah, was made Governor. On February 9, 2025 - the then chief minister N Biren Singh resigned and on Feb 13 (2025), President's Rule was applied.

President’s Rule was revoked on February 4, 2026 but a surprise choice was made -- Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.

Of course, he is a Meitei but he has two Deputy Chief Ministers – Nemcha Kipgen (Kuki) and Losii Dikho (Mao Naga). 

But locals say neither the Kuki nor the Naga deputy CM has visited the violence-hit areas in Kamjong/Chassad belt.

Ms Kipgen’s appointment was protested by members of her community who opposed her decision to join the government. And interestingly, a choice of a Mao (and not Tangkhul) also caused heart burns. 

The Kuki groups in Ukhrul announced a shutdown after Ms. Kipgen took oath and put up pickets to enforce the blockade. 

On February 7, at one such picket, some Kuki men flashed a torchlight in the face of a Naga youth who was passing by. Since all the men were drunk, it led to a brawl, which has now turned into severe tension between the communities.

These followed killings, abductions and blockade of highways to cut off supplies of essentials and food to Kuki areas in Kamjong and other areas.  

Over 200 Kukis have been forced out of their villages in Kamjong/Chassad belt. Nagas are deploying women to put up the barricades. When quizzed the Tangkhul Naga women - including aging mothers and newly wed young ladies - say they are just discharging social duties stopping 'youngsters' including Nagas fall into prey of drug abuse and so on.

Catch the law ::: Interpret and Over-Interpret ?? 

ends