In what could have possibly made pundits of game theory wink in amusement, Manipur seemed to have finally found a transient solution to the rather stubborn collective action problem, which has ‘allegedly’ eluded the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the Unified Security Command headed by Kuldip Singh, its Security Advisor since the end of May last year when the Chief Minister (CM) was replaced as the head of the Command.
Notwithstanding his long-drawn grievance and concerted attempt to regain control of the unified security command in the state, CM Biren Singh seemed to have always wielded de facto final control in security-related matters which became apparent when in an unusual display of cooperation and coordination, Kuldip Singh briefed the press on 20 September, four days after the CM’s office sent him and two high ranking officials of the state an ‘immediate’ intelligence ‘input’ about an impending ‘national security’ threat posed by the infiltration of over ‘900 Kuki militants’ into Manipur from Myanmar.
Although this input, signed by Ningthoujam Geoffrey, the Secretary to the Chief Minister, did not specify its source(s), it was unusually pointed and precise in its brief:
Over 900 Kuki militants, newly trained in the use of drone-based bombs, projectiles, missiles and jungle warfare have entered Manipur from Myanmar’. To amplify the emergent threat, this despatch averred that these Kuki militants ‘reportedly grouped in units of 30 members each…and (are) expected to launch multiple coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around 28 September 2024 (emphasis added).