Why NSCN Camps Still Operate in Manipur Without Territorial Limits?

WHY NSCN-IM CAMPS STILL OPERATE IN MANIPUR DESPITE NO "WITHOUT TERRITORIAL LIMITS" CEASEFIRE - A BIG THREAT TO MANIPUR'S DEMOGRAPHY, SOCIAL PEACE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Manipur is the only state in India where an armed group which has ceasefire only in Nagaland is allowed to run camps inside Manipur. This is NSCN-IM.

The Ceasefire History:

1. 1997: Government of India signed ceasefire with NSCN-IM. The text was kept vague - it did not mention clearly where ceasefire applies.

2. 14 June 2001, Bangkok: Government of India and NSCN-IM extended ceasefire with the words "without territorial limits". This meant ceasefire would apply not only in Nagaland but also in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal.

3. 18 June 2001, Great June Uprising: The moment Manipur heard "without territorial limits", Manipur burnt. People saw it as Government accepting Greater Nagalim demand which claims 70% of Manipur's land. Manipur Legislative Assembly building was burnt down, 18 youths became martyrs, more than 50 injured.

4. 27 July 2001: Facing the uprising, Government of India withdrew the "without territorial limits" clause. Since then, officially, ceasefire is only in Nagaland, NOT in Manipur.

So legally, NSCN-IM should have no camp, no operation, no designated camp in Manipur.

But On Ground Reality Is Different:

NSCN-IM says ceasefire is everywhere. They quote former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying "where there is fighting, there is ceasefire". They claim the 2001 Bangkok agreement is between two entities - India and Nagalim - so it has no boundary.

On the basis of this claim, a designated camp of NSCN-IM at Khangkhui-Shiroy forest in Ukhrul district, Manipur was approved by Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group in a letter dated 6th February 2007.

Today NSCN-IM operates openly in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Senapati, Tamenglong. They collect tax, they run check gates, they hold meetings.

Why This Is A Big Threat?

1. Threat to National Security:

NSCN-IM brings weapons from Somra Tract, Myanmar into Manipur. Its main bases are in Somra Tract. Through porous border, cadres enter Manipur. Government in 2015 itself said policy must change from "containment to clean-up" because NSCN-IM tax collection and weapon smuggling has become a threat to India. An organisation that demands sovereignty and has camps inside Manipur without ceasefire is a direct threat to India's sovereignty.

2. Threat to Demography:

Somra Tract to Ukhrul illegal immigration is linked with NSCN-IM. New villages coming from Somra Tract are under NSCN-IM control. This causes unnatural population growth in Ukhrul district - 800% growth from 1901 to 2011. This demographic change is used to justify Greater Nagalim by showing more Naga population in Manipur hills.

3. Threat to Social Peace:

Greater Nagalim demand wants to break Manipur. It wants Ukhrul, Kamjong, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel, Kangpokpi to be taken away from Manipur. This demand has created permanent enmity between communities in Manipur. While Meiteis and Kukis demand protection of Manipur's territorial integrity, NSCN-IM demands disintegration. As long as NSCN-IM camps operate in Manipur with impunity, social peace can never return.

Conclusion:

If ceasefire is only in Nagaland after 18 June 2001 uprising, why is NSCN-IM allowed to have designated camp in Ukhrul, Manipur?

Why Government of India allows an armed group to operate in Manipur without ceasefire?

Manipur has already given 18 lives to remove "without territorial limits" clause. Government must respect that sacrifice.

Immediate steps needed:

1. Remove all NSCN-IM designated camps from Manipur.

2. Declare NSCN-IM operations in Manipur as illegal as there is no ceasefire in Manipur.

3. Seal Somra Tract border to stop weapon and cadre movement.

4. Stop illegal immigration from Somra Tract which strengthens NSCN-IM demographically.

Unless NSCN-IM camps are removed from Manipur, demographic invasion, social unrest and threat to India's security will continue.

Courtesy: UKC