Intel sources flag Manipur toolkit, link latest violence to drug trade ‘Manipur destabilisation moves visible’

NEW DELHI Nov 19
The Manipur destabilisation toolkit is “clearly visible", top intelligence sources told CNN-News18, noting that the modus operandi was to attack infrastructure development and society, create a leadership crisis, and send more sophisticated weapons.
“There is a complete law and order breakdown with new tactics which are beyond assessment for law and order agencies. This is an intelligence failure at the local level," they said amid the fresh wave of violence in Manipur following the deaths of 11 suspected militants in exchange of fire with security forces.
The violence escalated the following day, with six civilians, including women and children, being abducted by armed militants from the same area.
“Attackers on Meitei civilians travelled 200 kilometres from Churachandpur to Jiribam and their movement was unnoticed. Earlier, it was believed that Kukis will abduct and release the civilians but this killing tells a different story. The abductions, rapes and killings are a war game at a different level".
They added: “The abduction, killing and rape toolkit is designed in such a way that it’s finally taking to complete social unrest. Meiteis have no faith in the social machinery, including politicians from their community. Out of fear, local politicians are not seen with the community, resulting in arson and attacks on them."
The sources said the timing of the recent violence was also important. “The attacks began soon after Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s comments in the United States about the need for a ‘Christian Nation’ of the Kuki-Zo people under a unified leadership. His statement proposed consolidating Kuki-Zo populations across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The statement outside India ignited these groups from across the border and they decided to launch the final assault for a decisive move."
CNN-News18 had reported earlier how different groups want to carve out a Christian State with the help of drug money.
The security agencies also warned about the escalation of the Kuki-Meitei war, saying there was an urgent need to contain it or “North East will become a war zone".
‘PUSH TO DRUG ECONOMY’
Sources said the violence in Manipur had more to do with drugs, religion, and support for Christianity, noting that a parallel economy of drugs worth Rs 60,000 crore was active in Manipur against a State budget of Rs 35,000 crore.
“The Golden Triangle of drugs — Laos, Thailand and Myanmar — is responsible for the violence in Manipur. Myanmar’s drug cartel, which survives due to its forests where opium and poppy are cultivated, has spilled over to Manipur. Chinese businessmen are paying huge money to locals in Manipur and Myanmar to make Manipur a safe hub that can be further used to send drugs across India. Large quantities of methamphetamine, ketamine, and other synthetic drugs continue to be produced and trafficked globally from the Golden Triangle area," they said.
The sources added that Kukis are Christians and have huge support from the Christian world as well as international bodies.
“Multiple organisations are working in the North East, from Mizoram to Tripura, to carve out a separate State on the basis of religious identity. The Mizo National Front (MNF), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), and Chin National Army (CNA) are separatist organisations in States of Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Myanmar’s Chin State. All these groups have different objectives but they share ethnic and religious ties."
News 18