Pratik Das, Pune
Manipur Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh said in a joint statement on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, that there was no evidence to support claims of 900 trained Kuki militants entering from Myanmar to attack Meitei people on September 28.
The joint statement said that after hearing concerns from various communities about the infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants from Myanmar planning to attack Meiteis on September 28, checks were done, but no proof was found. Right now, there’s no reason to believe this information. However, security forces are on high alert to protect people and their property. Everyone is assured of their safety and asked not to trust rumors or unconfirmed information.
A leaked letter showed that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s office first shared the information with the security adviser, DGP, and Chief Secretary on September 16. However, on Wednesday, N. Geoffrey, the secretary to Mr. Biren Singh, sent another message to the security adviser and DGP, saying the public shouldn’t worry because the chances of such an attack are “unlikely.”
The internal note from September 16 stated that there were reports of over 900 Kuki militants, newly trained in using drone bombs, missiles, and jungle warfare, entering Manipur from Myanmar. They are said to be in groups of 30, scattered around the outskirts, and planning coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around September 28, 2024. The Police Department was asked to take all necessary precautions.
The note caused panic, leading the security adviser to hold a press conference in Imphal on September 20. Mr. Singh said the government is aware of reports about “900 Kuki militants” entering on September 28, and stated, “unless proven otherwise, the information is 100% correct.”
The next day, the Army made a post on X asking Mr. Singh to share details about the intelligence on the alleged entry of 900 Kuki militants from Myanmar, saying this information had “serious security implications.” The post was later removed.
The Kuki-Zo people in Manipur have close ethnic connections with the Chin tribe in Myanmar.
India and Myanmar share a 1,643 km border that passes through the states of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km). The border is currently unfenced. After ethnic tensions flared in Manipur last year, India stopped the free movement agreement with Myanmar in January and has decided to fence the entire border at a cost of ₹31,000 crore.
Since May 3, 2023, at least 237 people have died in the ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo tribal group and the Meitei community. Over 60,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.