Manipur conflict mars Northeast security scenario improvement: MHA

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: Although the security scenario in the Northeast had gradually improved in the decade since 2014, security-related incidents in the past two years are showing a rising trend. This trend is primarily attributed to the ethnic strife that took place in Manipur in the years 2023 and 2024.

This scenario was revealed in a recent statistical report released by the Northeast division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The report states that 243 security-related incidents took place in 2023, of which 187 incidents occurred in Manipur alone. In that year, a total of 40 extremists were killed, of which 33 were killed in Manipur and 4 in Assam. Moreover, 407 extremists were arrested across the NE states, out of which 184 were arrested in Manipur only, while 21 extremists were arrested in Assam that year. In 2023, as many as 8 security personnel were killed in the NE region, of which 7 were killed in Manipur alone. Significantly, 38 civilians were also killed in the NE, out of which Manipur accounted for 35 deaths. 99 persons were kidnapped in the NE region, with Manipur recording 33 kidnapped persons.

Compared to 2023, the number of security-related incidents increased to 294 in 2024, which is mainly due to the situation in Manipur. Of the 294 incidents recorded, Manipur alone had 226 such incidents, while Assam accounted for 7. A total of 31 extremists were killed in the NE that year, of which Manipur accounted for 23 such killings and Assam 3. As many as 571 extremists were arrested across the NE region, with Manipur accounting for 386 such arrests. Also, 3 security personnel were killed, all of them in Manipur. Moreover, 30 civilians were killed in Manipur itself. 189 persons in the NE were kidnapped that year, of which 79 were abducted in Manipur.

The MHA report further stated that the security scenario improved in the NE region from 2014 onwards, with the number of security-related incidents declining from 824 that year to 574 in 2015, gradually decreasing further to reach a low point in 2020, with 163 incidents reported during the year. This figure saw an increase in 2022, with 201 security-related incidents reported. The number then increased sharply to 243 in 2023 and 294 in 2024, due to the situation in Manipur.

Insurgency in the NE region is mainly attributed to the terrain, the state of socio-economic development and historical factors such as language/ethnicity, tribal rivalry, migration, control over local resources and long and porous international borders, which have resulted in a fragile security situation in the region. The spectre of insurgency in NE has resulted in violence, extortion and diverse demands by various Indian insurgent groups which maintain safe havens/camps in neighbouring countries. The insurgent outfits indulge in violent and terror activities and intimidate people with arms in order to achieve their objectives or demands. They maintain cross-border links, procure arms, recruit and train their cadres and indulge in unlawful activities.

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