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LATEST DATA ON NCRB REPORT REVEAL COLLAPSE OF LAW AND ORDER IN

MANIPUR; DIRE RECORD SET TO WORSEN
6th Dec, 2023: As per the latest data released by the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB) in its ‘Crime in India’ report released on
December 3, a total of 1,005 cases were registered in the whole
country under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in
2022. Jammu and Kashmir had the maximum cases at 371
followed by Manipur at 167 cases for the whole country. The
annual ‘Crime in India’ report is done in several indicators and is a
compilation of data on reported crime from across the country. It also
provides broad trends in crime registration in the States and UTs.

For the Northeast region, Manipur is tailed by Assam with 133 cases,
and Arunachal Pradesh records 12 cases during this period.
Manipur’s record of 167 cases under UAPA in 2022 is 31 cases up
from 136 in 2021. There are also 24 cases of extortion in Arunachal
Pradesh and 5 cases in Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh also records 5
cases under the Arms Act.

As per the report, the total crimes committed by insurgent

attacks in the region is the highest again for Manipur with 167
cases, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Tripura at 43, 15

and 1 cases. Manipur also recorded 3 sedition cases in 2022, with the rest of the region recording no
sedition cases. Total number of offenses against the state from indicators stands at 178 for Manipur.
Meanwhile, for the whole region, attacks by Northeast insurgents dipped to 26 from 41 in 2021, and were
largely targeted at economic establishments owned by both government and the private sector. Northeast
insurgents were responsible for just one Central para-military personnel's killing in 2022.

TOTAL OFFENSES
STATE UAPA CASES SEDITION CASES
AGAINST THE STATE

Arunachal Pradesh 12 0 30

Assam 133 0 298

Manipur 167 3 178

Meghalaya 4 0 8

Mizoram 0 0 2

Nagaland 3 0 6

Sikkim 0 0 4

Tripura 5 0 30

Table: Excerpt of offenses against state in Northeast India

Source: Crime in India 2022 Volume II

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As far as cases under the UAPA are concerned, Manipur which accounts for only 0.2 percent of the
total population of India, has a history that surpasses other States. In the year 2014, out of the 975
cases under UAPA registered in the country, a staggering 630 cases were from Manipur. 659 people
from the State are charged under UAPA in these 630 cases.

AN OMINOUS FUTURE
The Manipur cases shown above are primarily insurgency related, with majority being incurred by
Meitei terrorist outfits operating in the Indo-Myanmar region. These outfits are banned under the
UAPA, and they have been conducting repeated attacks and ambushes against the Indian armed
forces. On November 13, the Ministry of Home Affairs in a notification under UAPA extended the
‘unlawful’ status of seven armed Meitei extremist militant groups and four of its affiliates, which
included one political wing and three armed wings, for a further five years. These separatist
organizations are noted for engaging in anti-India activities and conducting attacks on tribal
populations of the State and the security forces.

Attempts to bring the Meitei terrorist groups into the mainstream have met with little progress despite
a peace agreement signed between the Pambei faction of the UNLF and the Indian government in
New Delhi on November 29. On Sunday, ‘acting chairman’ of the Pambei faction of the ULNF,
Moirangthem Nongyai, categorically stated that the peace agreement does not compromise its
demand for the ‘sovereignty of Manipur’ and that the faction will not surrender the weapons until
a political solution is arrived at. A statement issued by the Koireng faction on Saturday also said it
would carry forward the armed movement for ‘independence till the last blood.’

The outbreak of the State-sponsored ethnic violence in Manipur since May 3 has markedly
increased Manipur’s record of crimes and violence, particularly those that are terrorism and
militancy-related. The so-called ‘looting’ of arms from police armouries and the resurgence of
Myanmar based Meitei terrorist groups had been a big factor fuelling the violence. Among several
charges slapped since May, in September, the UAPA was slapped on 5 armed terrorists who were
impersonating State security forces and carrying arms looted from State armouries. An INSAS rifle
and a self-loading rifle, and 128 rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered from the five men.
The 5 apprehended also include a wanted Meitei terrorist identified as Moirangthem Anand Singh,
formerly a PLA cadre and member of Kangleipak Communist Party, a banned terrorist group.
Manipur’s dire records in the area of law and order, as reflected by the recent NCRB report, is set
to worsen as Meitei terrorists outfits continue to infiltrate from Myanmar into the Valley areas.

SPECULATION RIFE THAT RECENT DEATH OF 13 MEITEI TERRORISTS WAS A

RESULT OF FRATRICIDE
6th Dec, 2023: The recent firefight between two armed groups at Leithao Village in Tengnoupal
where 13 Meitei terrorists were gunned down by a rival group is believed by many to be an internal
scuffle between Meitei terrorist outfits. The village of Leithao is relatively a peaceful village and has not
seen much militant activity since the ethnic violence broke out on May 3. Though some reports claim that
the men were gunned down by the village volunteers of Leithao, the view does not stand to scrutiny as
the village has just about seven houses. In fact, fearing for their lives after the bloodbath near the
village, the Leihao villagers have fled to adjoining villages to put up with their relatives as they believed
that Meitei terrorists from the losing side will return to the area and exact vengeance on the villagers.
(Contd.)

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(Contd.)...It is understood by most that the 13 men were members of the Pambei led faction of the
UNLF which had recently concluded a ‘peace agreement’ with the Government of India. Since then, the
main UNLF outfit has been issuing condemnations of the peace agreement and accusing the UNLF (P) of
compromising the fundamental goal of the UNLF, which is the sovereignty of Manipur. This has
sparked off a war of words between the two outfits which soon turned into threats of annihilation. In the
context, there is a reigning speculation that the UNLF (P) members who were enroute to their camps in
Myanmar, were ambushed by the main UNLF outfit, which led to the gunning down of the 13 UNLF (P)
members.

People cite the curious silence of Manipur CM N. Biren Singh on this matter as a strong evidence
supporting this theory. They say that if indeed ‘Kuki militants’ were involved, as claimed by Meitei
propagandists, the CM and his minions would be making endless public statements and pressuring
the Central investigative agencies to take up the matter and arrest some innocent Kuki civilians to
appease his constituents. That he has maintained a deliberate silence till now, many ground observers
say, is proof that he knows the incident was a result of a fratricide between Meitei terrorist outfits.
It is pertinent to mention that both UNLF (P) and Arambai Tengngol are alleged to be under the
patronage of N. Biren Singh. The main UNLF had alleged that UNLF (P) was created with pressure from
the government to destabilize UNLF and nurtured for an eventual ‘peace agreement’ which is evident from
the speech given by Biren Singh at the reception programme of surrendered cadres at Kangla. The Meitei
CM had mentioned that it took 3 years for this treaty to be signed, which is when Pambei faction was
formed in 2021.

RULE OF GUN IN IMPHAL VALLEY; MEITEI CIVILIAN SUBJECTED TO GUNPOINT

ASSAULT BY ARMED MEITEI RADICALS
6th Dec, 2023: In what is the latest incident in a
series of criminal acts indulged in by radicalized
and militarized Meitei men since the supply of
over 6000 automatic weapons to them by Meitei
police officials, another Meitei civilian was
attacked and assaulted by armed Meitei radicals in
Imphal on Monday.

A one-day sit-in protest unfolded at Wangkhei

Ningthem Pukhri Mapal in Imphal East, Manipur, on
Tuesday, denouncing a life-threatening incident
involving Athokpam Chinglemba. The protest,
jointly organized by Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Kanglup, Ayangleima Women’s Welfare Association, and
League of Callow Patriots in Wangkhei Pukhri Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Imphal East, sought justice and an
end to gun violence in Imphal.

Athokpam Ongbi Babita, the wife of the victim, addressed the media, narrating the harrowing event that
transpired on Monday. A group of armed Meitei radicals reportedly arrived in a four-wheeler, forcibly
entering the Chinglemba residence at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal around 12:40 pm. The armed
intruders, without any interrogation, allegedly threatened Athokpam Chinglemba at gunpoint and
subjected him to physical assault.

Expressing dismay over the incident, Babita urged against the recurrence of such events, emphasizing that
misunderstandings could be resolved through peaceful negotiations rather than resorting to violence. She
highlighted the need for dialogue and appealed for a commitment to non-violent solutions to
disagreements.

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SECURITY PERSPECTIVE
Security analysts observed that such cases of untrammelled criminal acts by armed Meitei
radicals have been on an unprecedented rise in the Imphal Valley since the ethnic violence broke
out. They say that unless stringent and exemplary action is taken against these armed radicals and
the weapons handed out are recovered, the Imphal Valley could soon become a war-zone
between rival Meitei militia groups and the humanitarian costs to this would be immense.

Security forces have to be adequately empowered to take action against these armed radicals
through the reimposition of the AFSPA in the Valley districts. Furthermore, political accountability
needs to be seen on the ground, which entails the removal of the present Biren Singh government
which has chosen to look the other way and allow lawlessness and militarism to reign in the
Imphal Valley.

SUPREME COURT ACTS TO PROTECT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF ZO

JOURNALIST; SUPPORTS HER RIGHT ‘TO UNCOVER AND PRESENT THE TRUTH’
6th Dec, 2023: On Monday, the Supreme
Court stayed criminal proceedings
against Fullbright fellow and independent
journalist Makepeace Sitlhou in connection
with tweets on the Manipur government’s
abject failure to control the escalating
violence in the Northeastern State. Sitlhou
had contended that criticizing the State
government was her right and duty as a
journalist.

The journalist was named in a First

Information Report (FIR) registered at
Imphal (West) police station against 12 of
her tweets in X, and slapped with charges including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between two
groups, defamation, and statements conducting to public mischief of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR
was based on a complaint by Lairenlakpam Sandeep, a resident of Lamboikhongnangkhong, Imphal
West. The petitioner alleged that the journalist through social media misled the public, destabilized a
democratically elected government and disturbed communal harmony.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal representing Sitlhou informed the Apex Court that the journalist faces a First
Information Report (FIR) over the Manipur violence. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr
D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra passed an Order to this effect after
hearing senior advocate Kapil Sibal assisted by advocate-on-record Prasanna S. for the petitioner. The
Bench in granting protection directed, ‘Pending further orders, there shall be a stay in proceedings
concerning the FIRs against her. Issue notice. Serve to the standing counsel of the Manipur
government.’

The petitioner underlined that as a journalist, she tweeted against rumors, violence, and the lack of
action and political will on the part of the political establishment. The petition also reads, ‘The
petitioner has further expressed her opinion against the deeply unfortunate demands for...(Contd.)

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(Contd.)...certain ethnic groups to “go back where they belong” and has highlighted the ethnic nature of the
violence that had prevailed at the time of authoring the tweets.’ The petition further stated, ‘Any incursion
on the freedom of the petitioner as a citizen and a journalist to uncover and present the truth,
protected by Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, would have a chilling effect on journalism in the
country.’

BULWARK AGAINST A FASCIST STATE GOVERNMENT

Since May, the Manipur government and Meitei radicals have been indiscriminately filing legal
cases against tribal activists, academicians and fact-finding teams, whose statements, writings
and reports are deemed to be ]critical of the State government. All critical voices that were not in
favor of the Biren Singh government or the Meitei community were selectively targeted and
indiscriminately booked by the State police. Although highly restricted and monitored by the
government, the interventions by the Supreme Court had sustained prospects for freedom of
speech and expression in the violence-torn State.

# The Supreme Court granted interim protection to three journalists from the Editors Guild of
India’s fact finding team, from coercive action after they were booked by Manipur Police in
September. The EGI report had highlighted the partisan role of the Imphal based media and the
State government.

# The Supreme Court also protected a retired colonel Dr Vijaykant Chenji from arrest in an FIR
against him for authoring a book, The Anglo-Kuki War 1917–19: Victory in Defeat, which was
published in January 2022. Meitei radicals had booked the retired army officer on the charge that he
was misrepresenting facts in his book.

# The Supreme Court had also granted interim protection to Prof. Kham Khan Suan Hausing, a
professor at the University of Hyderabad, in connection with an FIR against him for an interview to
The Wire in which he was deemed to be critical of the State government.

# The Supreme Court had also protected from arrest both Dr Jangkhomang Guite and Dr
Thongkholal Haokip, the co-editors of a book titled The Anglo-Kuki War, 1917–1919: A Frontier
Uprising Against Imperialism During the First World War, published in 2018.

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MEITEI INFLUENCERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA USERS DECEIVE PUBLIC INTO

INVOLUNTARILY SUPPORTING ST DEMAND
6th Dec, 2023: In recent times,
several initiatives were launched
through social media under the aegis
of the so-called ‘Meetei (Meetei)
Tribe Union’ to push for the Meitei
demand for Schedule Tribe (ST)
status. In a bizarre and desperate
attempt to amplify their campaign for
ST status, the Meiteis ST-advocates
had been organizing something
called a ‘missed call campaign’. For
the ‘missed call campaign’,
supporters are supposed to dial the
mobile number ‘873204511’, after
which callers will be greeted with a
voice message requesting to forward
their name and address. Missed calls
of around 5 lakhs are targeted
according to Mutum Churamani, Secretary of the ‘Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union’.

In what reveals both the desperation of ST

campaigners and their readiness to deceive people to
seek their demands, Meitei social media influencers
and online retailers have been resorting to deceptive
and bogus means to prompt more people into
participating in the ST campaign. Meitei social media
influencers, including young women with large social
media following, have been making social media posts
and enticing their followers to call them, providing a
phone number which they claim to be theirs. However,
the phone number they have provided all turns out to
be ‘873204511’ - the number used in the ST-demand
campaign. Similarly, other Meitei social media users
have been advertising vehicles, gadgets, vegetables,
and other items, at highly discounted prices, but the
number they provide turns out to be the one used for ST-
demand campaigns.

These bogus and dishonest strategies of Meitei social

media influencers and campaigners have casted
aspersions on the genuineness of the ‘missed call
campaign’, such that even if the calls reach the
targeted numbers, it would not be credible. This is
because the manner in which callers are prompted
suggests that people did not participate voluntarily,
Pic: Naga social media users alerting other users
but are rather deceived into dialing the number. about the Meitei fraud.

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GETTING THE FACTS RIGHT ON THE MEITEI ST DEMAND

The Meiteis were not denied or left out from the Scheduled Tribe list as they claim to be. They
chose not to be included. When the first Backward Classes Commission (Kaka Kalelkar
Commission) requested a list of tribes to be included in the Scheduled Tribes (modification) list
(1956) from each state and UT, the Meiteis chose not to include themselves. It was not only the
government but also the Meitei community itself, who had already proclaimed that they did not
meet the criteria to be in the ST list. Hence, the reversal of the Meitei stance can only be
interpreted as part of a vested interest land-grab project given force by the Biren Singh government.

The inclusion of the tribal groups in the ST list is a policy for promoting social justice, a means of
positive discrimination and affirmative action. However, the Meiteis, who have always been the
dominant community in Manipur, are paradoxically demanding ST status after all these years. When
all educational institutions, government jobs and state politics are saturated by the Meitei
populace, the ST demand is a bizarre campaign as the Meiteis have not been denied any
opportunities within Manipur. On the contrary, all important public institutions, infrastructural
projects, and developmental initiatives have been hogged by them for as long as modern Manipur
existed.

FIELDNOTES
Graphics
Art Credit: Chingpiri

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