Incompetency of Kuldiep Singh and row over 900 Kuki infiltrators

The recent statement by Kuldiep Singh, security advisor to the Manipur government, claiming that 900 militants, highly trained in drone and missile warfare, have infiltrated Manipur, raises a serious and troubling question: What are those responsible for guarding our borders doing? His announcement during a press briefing yesterday underscores an alarming level of incompetency and negligence in the management of Manipur’s security situation, an issue that cannot be ignored any longer. The need for local leadership over the Unified Command structure has become glaringly apparent as Singh’s failure to protect our borders continues to deepen the crisis.
This admission, in itself, reveals a grave lapse in both border management and intelligence gathering. However, the revelation that such a significant number of militants, armed with advanced technological warfare capabilities, could slip through into the state shows how far our security infrastructure has fallen. It is unacceptable that this situation was allowed to unfold, leaving the residents of Manipur even more vulnerable. The fact that militants are allegedly capable of missile and drone warfare should have triggered heightened security measures long ago, but this seems to have been ignored.
Security was supposed to be a priority, especially with the presence of the Unified Command, a joint military-civil security initiative. Yet, under Kuldiep Singh’s leadership, this framework has failed to deliver the safety and stability it promised. Instead, it has become a bureaucratic nightmare that leaves the state wide open to external threats.
The inefficiency and failure of Kuldiep Singh’s leadership are further evidenced by the fact that there has been no credible response to address these militants’ movements. Where are the forces meant to secure our borders? How could such a sophisticated and large group of insurgents pass undetected? These are serious questions that demand immediate answers, yet none are forthcoming. This points to a fundamental breakdown in coordination and responsibility, where he, as a top security advisor, should be held accountable.
Kuldiep Singh’s press briefing, far from offering reassurance or solutions, has only served to expose his incompetence. The audacity to inform the public of the presence of 900 militants cannot be tolerated. His tenure as the head of the Unified Command has done little to resolve the problems in Manipur. Instead, we see a deepening of the crisis. When the top security official admits to such an infiltration, it reflects poorly on the overall strategy and competence of the security apparatus.
This failure calls for a drastic reassessment of the leadership overseeing Manipur’s security. It is high time the reins of the Unified Command were handed over to the state government. Local leadership, with a deeper understanding of the region’s challenges, would have a much clearer perspective on how to manage the state’s security. The people of Manipur are familiar with the threats they face; they understand the dynamics of insurgency, the nature of cross-border smuggling, and the rising influence of militant groups far better than an outsider security advisor.
Entrusting Manipur’s security to a local leadership would not only bring more accountability but would also foster greater coordination among local forces, the central military, and civilian security agencies. A localized approach would ensure that those responsible for guarding our borders are more invested in the safety and future of the region. As it stands, the current leadership, led by Kuldiep Singh, appears disconnected from the ground realities of Manipur, and this detachment has had dire consequences.
His failure to prevent the infiltration of 900 militants cannot be brushed aside as an oversight. It is a glaring example of incompetency that has cost the state both security and peace of mind. His continued leadership of the Unified Command will only invite further turmoil unless drastic changes are made. The Manipur government, with its closer ties to the ground and understanding of the local security needs, must be empowered to lead this command.
Ultimately, the failure to guard Manipur’s borders and the subsequent press briefing reveal a profound need for change. Manipur cannot afford any more lapses in security or leadership. The Unified Command must be placed under local control before the state is further engulfed in violence.