The Army, in collaboration with the Assam Rifles and other security forces, has initiated a significant joint counter-insurgency mission in Manipur’s Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. Intelligence reports indicate that militants from the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) are on the move in these hilly regions with heavy weaponry. The UKNA, unlike some other Kuki groups, has not agreed to a Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the government.
Police sources reveal that the UKNA boasts around 450 members and possesses over 300 advanced weapons, surpassing other groups under the SoO agreement. Allegedly, the UKNA has established camps in Manipur and across the border in Myanmar. Incidents of firing targeting the residences of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who recently resettled under the government’s rehabilitation program have been linked to UKNA cadres.
As part of the extensive operation that commenced on Friday morning, helicopters have been deployed to track militant movements and uncover their hideouts in the challenging terrain. In a separate development, discussions between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials and Kuki-Zo armed groups, including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), centered on the demand for a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly for the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur.
During the talks, A.K. Mishra, Adviser (Northeast Affairs) at MHA, reiterated the government’s stance against creating new Union Territories despite acknowledging the Kuki-Zo community’s concerns. Mishra emphasized the necessity for broader consultations with other communities in Manipur.
