Row over Infiltration of 900 Kuki shows Fault Lines in Manipur’s Unified Command

Recent reports suggesting that the Indian Army sought information regarding the input of the entry of 900 Kukis into Manipur from Manipur’s security advisor, Kuldiep Singh, have raised troubling questions about the functioning of the Unified Command in the state. The very essence of a Unified Command is to ensure seamless coordination between various security forces operating in conflict-ridden regions. However, if the reports are accurate, this incident suggests a lapse in information sharing and operational synergy between the forces tasked with maintaining security in Manipur. It prompts an urgent re-evaluation of how the Unified Command is functioning, or perhaps, failing to function.
The first question that emerges is the veracity of the input itself. If this intelligence about the entry of 900 Kukis is true, it indicates a serious breach of the Indo-Myanmar border. The suggestion that a group as large as 900 individuals could have crossed into Manipur undetected by the forces at the border is deeply concerning. Infiltration of this scale raises questions not just about the operational readiness of border forces but also about the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and sharing across security agencies.
Equally troubling is the implication that the Army, which is part of the Unified Command in Manipur, was unaware of this infiltration. The Unified Command is supposed to bring together different arms of the security apparatus—military, paramilitary, and police forces—under a single operational framework to ensure better coordination and response. If the Army had to seek information from Kuldiep Singh, Manipur’s security advisor, it suggests a breakdown in this very system. How is it possible that such a crucial piece of intelligence was not known to the Army? What does this say about the internal communication channels within the Unified Command?
This episode points to a broader issue: the apparent lack of cooperation and coordination between the various security agencies in Manipur. Infiltration from Myanmar is not a new threat. For years, the porous border has allowed insurgent groups to operate with relative ease, moving between the two countries to evade security forces. This lack of coordination is not just an administrative issue; it has real consequences on the ground.
Manipur is reeling from ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands of people. The situation remains highly volatile, with frequent clashes reported in different parts of the state. In such a charged environment, intelligence failures and operational lapses could further exacerbate the situation, leading to more violence and instability. If the security apparatus cannot work together effectively, how can it be expected to bring peace to a state that is already on the brink?
Moreover, the failure to prevent infiltration from across the border could have serious national security implications.
If the Army and other security forces are not on the same page regarding such a critical issue, it creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by insurgent groups and external actors alike.
It is imperative that the central government takes this issue seriously and addresses the apparent dysfunction within the Unified Command. There must be a thorough investigation into the infiltration and the failure of the security apparatus to prevent or detect it. If lapses are found, those responsible must be held accountable, and corrective measures must be put in place to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The current system, where different security services appear to be operating in silos, is clearly not working.
The ongoing crisis in Manipur requires a unified and well-coordinated response. The lack of communication and cooperation between security forces, as evidenced by this incident, will only deepen the chaos and violence in the state. The Unified Command must live up to its name, or risk being nothing more than a dysfunctional, symbolic structure. It is time for the central government to step in and ensure that the command operates as it was intended—to protect Manipur and maintain the integrity of India’s borders.