Manipur Ambush: Battle Between Indian Army and NSCN. Manipur is one of the seven sisters situated in the north-east of India. It shares its border in east and south with Myanmar. After few decades of independence, many militant groups like ULFA, PREPAK etc. emerged demanding freedom of Manipur from India and making Manipur an independent state. The escalating violence rate in the area compelled the state government to appeal from central government to overcome the problem. Finally in 1980, Armed Forces Special Power Act was implemented in Manipur to retain law and order in the state. Irom Sharmila, who is also known as Iron Lady of Manipur is still on hunger strike and is protesting against the implementation of AFSPA. Many protests had taken place in the state against the implementation of AFSPA. Apart from many NGOs, few rebellion groups are also active to oppose AFSPA and demand a sovereign state. NSCN, enlarged as Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland is one of them.
What Actually NSCN is:
The objective of the NSCN was to establish a Sovereign State by unifying all the Naga-inhabited areas in the North East of India and Northern Burma which the organization and the people of the area proposed as Nagalim. NSCN is active in North East India mostly in Nagaland and Manipur.it is believed that they are getting arms and ammunition from China and Pakistan However this group failed to impress people of Nagaland and lost the race in general elections of India 2014.
Why Recently in News:
Militancy in Manipur was recently seen where some 46 army personals returning to their headquarter in Dimapur were attacked by NSCN-K (Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland). Some 50 militants were assumed to be the attackers and attacked 46 soldiers in four convoys in a well-planned manner, killing 18 soldiers and injuring 11 others. The soldiers were recovered in an inhuman condition. The US-made rocket launchers were used by them.
On May 3, a similar attack took place in Nagaland when eight Assam Rifles jawans were killed in a joint operation by NSCN (K), ULFA (I), NDFB-S and Kamatapur Liberation Organization.
These attacks were stringed with the cancelation of the ceasefire with New Delhi by NSCN-K. And last month Assam rifles personals apprehended Khekaho Rochill, the financial secretary of NSCN (K), from Zunheboto in Nagaland.
The earlier ceasefire signed 14 years ago in 2001 between NSCN and New Delhi was termed as invalid. A ceasefire of one year has been validated by the central government with NSCN-K.
A massive combing operation have been started by security personals in Manipur against these rebellions. But sources said that they were expected to have crossed the border and went to Myanmar.
Army’s top officials have urged Myanmar army to start an operation from their side. This will help the army to catch them from both sides of the border. According to the recently released reports by Indian intelligence, China is quoted to be the mastermind behind this incident.
Conclusion
AFSPA and demand of a separate independent country were seemed to be the major reason behind the conflict between the militants and Indian forces in Manipur. But some external factors also plays a crucial role in provoking and supporting silently in the background, resulting these incidents.” Enemy’s enemy is a friend” best suits here where India is the target from all sides. India is doing its best to curb the problem.
