Replacement of AR: A Sharp Shift From Original Purposes

The Centre’s move to replace two Assam Rifles (AR) battalions with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in two districts – Churachandpur and Kangpokpi – is a radical departure from the specified duties assigned to the AR. This is akin to aborting operations midway before accomplishing the mission. Such a whimsical decision, perhaps influenced and swayed by biased, misinformation and misplaced conception, has convinced observers to deduce that it is an endorsement of the secessionist agenda of the Meiteis. This move will do more harm to national security than appease a particular community at the helm of Manipur.

The primary duty of the oldest central paramilitary force and what necessitated their presence in Manipur in the first place needs serious contemplation before any decision regarding their withdrawal or deployment is arbitrarily taken. Over and above, it seems that the central authority has lost sight of the settings on the ground that required the deployment of the force in Manipur.

For the uninitiated, the primary responsibility of the Assam Rifles is ‘counter-insurgency’ apart from guarding the Indo-Myanmar border.

Manipur, since the last few decades, has been infested with insurgency. In the 1980s, Manipur saw the upsurge of various insurgent groups in the valley fighting to ‘regain the lost independence of Manipur’ from India. These groups, known by their common nomenclature - ‘Valley Based Insurgent/Underground Groups (VBIG/VBUGs), resorted to various anti-national, prejudicial and violent activities largely targeting Indian security forces. With the professed aim of achieving an independent ‘Manipur nation’ by secession from India through armed struggle, these Meitei insurgent groups have been engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. There are also some armed groups in the hills fighting for sovereignty.

Their secessionist or seditious activities had persuaded the Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs) to ban or outlaw various Meitei insurgent groups. The latest ban order by the MHA was issued on Nov 13 last year.

Against this backdrop, the central paramilitary force Assam Rifles was deployed in Manipur to counter the activities of the insurgents and look after the Indo-Myanmar border.

Now, the pertinent question is whether the AR has failed its duty down these decades that their (partial) withdrawal is required all of a sudden. Or had the AR accomplished their assigned tasks in Manipur? The answer is Not At All.

Ever since its deployment in Manipur, the AR has lived up to its stated purposes. They are, with the assistance of other security forces including the Army, instrumental in checking insurgent activities in Manipur – both in the hills and the valley. General observers can certainly infer the scale of insurgent/underground activities in the State moving downwards over the last few years. It may be recalled here that in the early 2000s, some areas of Chandel district bordering Myanmar were declared as ‘liberated zones’ by the VBIGs.

However, with the coordinated efforts of the Security forces – of which the AR was playing the lead role – the Meitei militants were flushed out from their haven and pushed inside the Myanmar territory. Since then, the insurgent activities of the VBIGs have come down to an abysmally low scale. This has unquestionably earned them (AR) the wrath of Meitei VBIGs and their sympathisers including their frontal civil organisations. Manipur valley also saw frequent public upheaval or agitation against the Assam Rifles demanding their complete removal from Manipur. The Meiteis’ animosity and hostility against the Assam Rifles stemmed from this fact and circumstances.

At the drop of a hat, these VBIGs sympathising Meitei civil frontal organisations are exploiting every available opportunity to further their aim of defaming and sullying the reputation of the Assam Rifles so that they find grounds to demand their complete withdrawal from Manipur. The Centre should not have lost sight of these visible faultlines while weighing the pros and cons of withdrawing or deploying the Assam Rifles partly or completely in any part of Manipur.

Post May 3, 2023, when the ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur valley was orchestrated by the N Biren Singh-led Meitei radicals, the roles of Central security forces including the Assam Rifles became paramount to quell the burning fires. The SF, including the AR, acted swiftly to prevent further escalation. One can only imagine the scale of violence that is going to happen had not the AR risked their lives to maintain buffers. The unbiased roles of the AR in maintaining peace and security in Manipur post May 3 last year is contested only by forces which are hostile and inimical to India.

However, instead of appreciating their role as a neutral peacemaker, as well as a force that keep insurgent activities at bay, the Meitei frontal CSOs including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and even the elected representatives including the Chief Minister took the cudgel to launch a scathing campaign against the Assam Rifles. Further, the Meitei radical group sees the Assam Rifles as a deterrent force in their reckless determination to complete their ‘unfinished tasks’ of annihilating the Kuki-Zo from their land. Hence, the Meiteis’ animosity and hostility towards the AR only grew manifold.
Even as some VBIGs such as the Pambei led UNLF signed the memorandum of agreement with the government, they have openly stated that they do not drop the agenda of sovereignty or independence of Manipur. Also, they continue recruiting cadres and had not surrendered their arms.

Sadly though, the ill-informed, ethno-centric narratives and separatist agenda of the Meiteis find takers among those in power in the corridors of South Block.

For now, the move is quite appeasing to the Meitei community, as COCOMI coordinator Thokchom Somorendro points it out – ‘is a victory for Manipur.’ Their long and pressing demand to take vengeance against the AR is achieved.

But, responsible persons at MHA need to answer – whether the services of the AR in Manipur are no longer needed as the secessionist movement is contained. Had the VBIGs ceased to be a threat to the security and integrity of the Nation? Is Party consideration more important than national security? Or is the Centre considering giving in to the demand of the Meiteis for sovereignty? It will be any of the reasons that the Centre considers withdrawing the AR partially or wholly from Manipur. No other reasons could be convincing. But the move is suicidal and it will never boost the morale of the force.

Now that the Centre has brought the ball in its court and any incident of fresh bout of violence in areas particularly vacated by the two AR units will be the sole creation of the Centre. Mind you, the writing on the wall is loud and clear – the floodgate for more offensives, if not prejudicial activities from the valley is opened.

In as much the insurgent activities in Jammu are threats to the nation, the secession movement in Manipur, which is still very much alive and thriving, is a menace to the security of India.

(Views are personal)