New Delhi, May 2026 — The Government of India has set an ambitious target to make the Northeast region entirely insurgency-free by 2029. Officials have identified restoring stability in Manipur as the critical first step in this broader strategy, marking a significant shift in the country’s internal security priorities following major successes against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
This initiative builds on the Centre’s achievement of largely eliminating Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, with only one district remaining affected by early 2026. With that challenge nearly resolved, resources are now being redirected toward the Northeast, where insurgency-related incidents have declined sharply over the past decade — from 824 in 2014 to 294 in 2024 — but continue to persist, particularly in Manipur.
Strategic Force Realignment
A key component of the plan involves the major redeployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including specialised CoBRA units previously deployed in LWE-affected areas. This phased realignment is expected to commence after the conclusion of the West Bengal Assembly elections and the Amarnath Yatra, likely by mid-2026.
The focus will initially target Manipur, followed by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. Manipur has been disproportionately affected, accounting for a significant share of regional violence and hosting roughly half of the active insurgent groups in the Northeast.
Multi-Pronged Approach
The strategy goes beyond security operations and encompasses several interconnected pillars:
- Intensified Counter-Insurgency Operations: Deployment of advanced equipment, such as mine-protected and bulletproof vehicles, to enhance operational effectiveness in challenging terrains. Units are already arriving in districts like Ukhrul.
- Peace Dialogues and Mainstreaming: Accelerated efforts to engage insurgent groups through dialogue. Recent tripartite agreements, including with Kuki-Zo factions, aim to bring militants into the mainstream.
- Disrupting Funding Networks: Strengthened coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau to crack down on narco-funding that sustains militant activities, especially amid cross-border influences from Myanmar.
- Development and Governance: Parallel initiatives to address root causes through infrastructure development, economic opportunities, and community engagement, fostering long-term stability.
Challenges in Manipur
Manipur has remained a focal point of concern since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki communities. The unrest has led to significant displacement, heightened militant recruitment, and a surge in incidents, making it the epicentre of current Northeast challenges. Officials view stabilising the state as foundational to achieving the 2029 goal across the region.
Outlook
While the 2029 timeline is ambitious, it reflects confidence drawn from previous peace accords and the successful LWE model. Success will hinge on seamless coordination between central and state agencies, sustained political will, resolution of ethnic tensions, and effective management of external factors.
This policy shift underscores the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a region of lasting peace and development. As implementation begins, stakeholders across the region will be closely watching its impact on ground-level security and reconciliation efforts.
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