Draft:Operation Security

Operation Security also known as Operation Accomplishment (Lushai: Khawkhawm) was a military plan devised by Indian Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw during the Mizo Insurgency in 1967.

Between 1967 and 1969, the rural population of Mizoram, comprising 80% of the district, was forcibly removed from their homes. From a total of 764 villages, 516 were evacuated, and 138 remained ungrouped.

Background

Operation Jericho was launched by the Mizo National Front and led to the Mizo National Front uprising on 28 February 1966. The Indian Home Minister, Gulzarilal Nanda, declared the MNF would be crushed by the military efforts of the state. The emergency legislation crafted for the Naga insurgency was extended to the Mizo district. By March 1966, a degree of order had been established. By the Summer of 1966, the MNF transitioned into archetypal insurgent operations, which the Indian Army described as "attempting to paraylize its [Government's] functions". The Indian Army was forced to engage in counterinsurgency and could only cover limited ground across a difficult, mountainous and heavily forested terrain.

Earlier, grouping had been tried in Nagaland during the Naga Insurgency. In the period of 1956-1959, villagers were burnt, and the populations were grouped into camps guarded by the military. However, unlike Nagaland, which lasted 2-3 years, Mizoram faced grouping for almost 15 years. A result of this led to high urbanisation in Mizoram in India as most stayed in grouping centres or moved to Aizawl.

Planning

Following the Mizo National Front uprising and the insurgency that continued, the Indian military and government developed a school of counter-insurgency thought. This happened after the failure of "Operation Blanket". Operation Blanket allowed for a company of security personnel equivalent to the Assam Rifles of the Army to establish two posts of twenty men at villages. The posts were established to be self-contained, fortnightly, and allow for quick responses to threats of the MNF. The failure of Operation Blanket led to a reappraisal of the strategy and proposed for isolation of villages from MNF influence. The Indian Army replicated the plans made by the British Army in Malaya in the Briggs Plan during the Malayan Emergency and the United States regrouping policy in the Strategic Hamlet Program during the Vietnam War. The government recognised that this policy would prevent MNF cadres from relying on villages in terms of food and shelter. A plan was proposed to relocate 60,000 people and to resettle them at new locations. The plan mentioned that "there would be no tinge of force and people will be allowed o join the group voluntarily". The planning commission member Tarlok Singh visited the Mizo district and approved the regrouping plan on the basis that it would be economically viable. Nari Rustomji, Chief Secretary of Assam, supported the scheme, citing that increasing harassment, looting, and killings were occurring and isolation from MNF contact would be safer. He further argued that the families could take whatever belongings they could and the army would help transport all other belongings.

The rebels, who relied on civilians for support such as food, shelter, information and manpower, were to be separated. In October 1966, Lieutenant General (later Field Marshall) Sam Manekshaw, who was the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command in Calcutta, recommended the grouping plan to be able to intern a large, if not complete, population of the Mizo district. He expanded on the scheme to propose grouping to be done on the 10-mile belt of the Vairengte-Aizawl-Lungleh road to make the road secure and ensure logistics. Villagers would be made to work on making new roads, and the new belt constructed could restrict hostile insurgents from making border crossings in East Pakistan. The control of food supplies in villages would make the MNF rebels focus on procuring survival rather than fighting the security forces. Manekshaw further argued that the grouping policy would enable stronger civil oversight of the population with the provision of administrative facilities, including shops, roofing materials, dispensaries, schools and food. The Indian Army lobbied for the scheme as a means of cutting off the MNF's lifeline and securing supply lines.

Army sources credit Lieutenant General Sagat Singh for the planning of the regrouping scheme. Singh decided to group villages along the road between Aizawl and Lungleh. The civil administration opposed the plan on legal and administrative grounds. However, Singh, who was on good terms with Assam Chief Minister B.K. Medhi and Governor B.K. Nehru, allowed for the plan to be implemented. The Government of Assam used the results of a limited regrouping policy in the Naga Hills district to separately propose a grouping plan of 75 centres north of Aizawl, totalling 36,517 people. This civilian regrouping scheme was proposed by the Mizo Hills Deputy Commissioner R. Natarajan. Natarajan believed the army scheme to be too drastic and wished to implement a civilian scheme rather than a military one.

As a result, the Union Cabinet rejected the military scheme on 20 October 1966. However, the Army continued with intense lobbying and launched a public relations exercise with Assa to agree to their scheme. The scheme was approved by the Government of India on 5 December 1966. The Indian press called the scheme "Operation Security" and was described by a civil servant noting the press being supportive of it. The Army codenamed the scheme "Operation Accomplishment".

Implementation

Four Stages

The grouping was carried out in four stages. The three later stages utilised the Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act, 1968, rather than the Defence of India Rules, as its legal standing was challenged in the Assam High Court. This case was known as Chhuanvawra versus the State of Assam and others.

Progressive Protective Villages (PPV)

The first stage of grouping was called Protective and Progressive Villages (PPVs). These were built in 10 weeks along the Silchar-Kolasib-Aizawl-Lungleh national highway. A total of 106 villages were grouped together into 18 grouping centres of a total of 52,210 people. In February 1967, the centres were placed under civilian administration while security matters and daily maintenance was placed in the responsibility of Indian security forces. The civilian administration was led by a member of the Assam civil service delegated as an administrative officer or area administrative officer.

The PPV grouping was carried out under the Defence of India Rules 1962 provisions. The PPVs created were: Vairengte, Lungdai, Thingdawl, Kawnpui, Bilkhawthlir, Sihpir, Durtlang, Zemabawk, Tlungvel, Thingsulthliah, Pangzawl, Baktawng, Chhingchhip, Chhiahtlang, Serchhip, Bungtlang, Hnahthial and Zobawk. Kolasib was an administrative centre that provided security protection during this phase. I.A.S. or A.C.S. officers would manage and look after two or more PPVs under an Area's Administrative Officer. Each PPV would be assigned an Administrative Officer of A.C.S rank or equivalent, such as BDO. Administrative officers would also have a sub-administrative officer, typically of the rank of extension officer in Agriculture or a similar position. The administrative officer was also assigned two Gram Sevaks; a Pharmacist, Midwife and Health Assistant; Female Searcher; UDA and LDA clerks; five porters to work under him. Public workers such as teachers, conservation staff and Forest Guard were to report to the administrative officer. A Post Commandant was assigned for all matters related to the security forces.

Each PPV hosted an Administrative Advisory Committee with the administrative officer as chairman. The rest of the members consisted of village council presidents, local political leaders of the Mizo Union and Mizo Congress, Church leaders and individuals selected by the administrative officer. To alleviate the unpopular policy, free rations were provided for a year, one bundle of G.C.I. sheet per family was granted and employment in the Border Road Task Force. Government investments into the PPVs consisted of water supply improvements, schools, new curriculum, road development distribution of livestock and poultry.

New Grouping Centre (NGC)

The second phase of grouping was called the New Grouping Centre. It was established in August 1969 under the Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1953 (AMPOA). It managed five population sectors, mainly the Tripura border, Lungleh-Lawngtlei road, Darngawn-Bungzung North, Vanlaiphai-Serchhip Road and Seling-Champhai Road. It involved 184 villages grouped together into 40 grouping centres with a total population of 97,339. The NGCs included Zobawk. The other 39 NGCs were: Tuipuibari, Phuldungsei, Marpara, Darngawn, Puankhai, Kawnpui, Demagiri, Kalaichari, Borapansuri, Jarulchari, Vaseitlang, Parva, Lokicherra, Rengdil, Lungsei, Kawrtethawveng, Haurruang, Lawngtlai, Thingfal, Ruantlang, Bungzung, Vanzau, Tawipui, Zote, Ruallang, Saitual, Kawlkulh, Khawzawl, Champhai, Chawngtlai, Vaphai, Bungzung, Farkawn, Khawbung, Lungdar, North Vanlaiphai, Cherhlun, Khawlailung, Neihdawn. The administrative arrangements in the NGCs were identical to the PPVs. The grouped families were given around ₹500 to cover the costs of difficult relocations.

Voluntary Grouping Centres (VGC)

The third phase, Voluntary Grouping Centres, was established in August 1970 under the AMPOA. It was responsible for several villages in different parts of the Mizo Hills and consisted of 26 grouping centres for a total population of 47,156. This was carried out by the 59 Mountain brigade in Manipur. VGCs were not voluntary. Grouping had begun in 1968 before declared finished in August 1970. A rehabilitation grant was given to all families.

Extended Loop Areas (ELA)

The fourth and final phase was called Extended Loop Areas ordered in 1970 under AMPOA. It planned for 63 villages with a population of 34,219 into 17 grouping centres. This was handled by the 61 Mountain Brigade in pocketed areas such as the Pawi-Lakher region. It was initiated in 1968-69 and finished in 1970. A rehabilitation grant was given to the families.

List of centres

Village Regroupings

Serial No	Name	Population
Protected and Progressive Village (PPV)
1.	Vairengte	1,988
2.	Bilkhawthlir	2,709
3.	Thingdawl	2705
4.	Kawnpui	3,650
5.	Lungdai	2,048
6.	Sihpir	2,635
7.	Durtlang	2,825
8.	Zemabawk	1,958
9.	Thingsulthliah	3,662
10.	Tlungvel	2,757
11.	Baktawng	3,049
12.	Chhingchhip	3,933
13.	Chhiahtlang	3,269
14.	Serchhip	3,615
15.	Bungtlang	2,499
16.	Pangzawl	2,580
17.	Hnahthial	3,921
18.	Zobawk	2,699
Total PPV Population:		52,519
New Grouping Centres (NGC)
1.	Lokicherra	5,910
2.	Rengdil	4,493
3.	Kawrtethawveng	2,254
4.	Tuipuibari	4,061
5.	Phuldungsei	834
6.	Marpara	1,507
7.	Darngawn (W)	627
8.	Kawnpui (W)	1,515
9.	Puankhai	1,367
10.	Demagiri	5,560
11.	Kalaichari	599
12.	Borapansuri	1,079
13.	Jarulchari	1,090
14.	Vaseitlang	3,572
15.	Parva	1,941
16.	Lungsei (N)	2,579
17.	Jauruang	1,114
18.	Lawngtlai	2,514
19.	Thingfal	1,598
20.	Tawipui	2,481
21.	Ruallang	1,876
22.	Saitual	2,301
23.	Kawlkulh	2,183
24.	Khawzawl	approx. 5,000
25.	Chawngtlai	2,169
26.	Champhai	2,822
27.	Bungzung	3,190
28.	Vanzau	2,671
29.	Vaphai	2,357
30.	Farkawn	2,548
31.	Khawbung	3,067
32.	Lungdar	3,830
33.	North Vanlaiphai	1,915
34.	Khawlailung	1,534
35.	Cherhlun	approx. 2,800
36.	South Vanlaiphai	3,084
37.	Neihdawn	2,078
38.	Zote	2,184
39.	Ruantlang	2,790
Total NGC Population:		97339
Voluntary Grouping Centres (VGC)
1.	Lallen	718
2.	Lengpui	1,126
3.	Hmunpui	774
4.	Bukpui	1,247
5.	Sairang	2,207
6.	Hlimen	1,647
7.	Khawrihnim	964
8.	Reiek	1,488
9.	Rawpuichhip	827
10.	Hortoki	1,995
11.	Bairabi	1,757
12.	Phaileng	1,231
13.	Lungpho	2,726
14.	Khawhai	3,726
15.	Sialhawk	2,289
16.	Chhipphir	1,795
17.	Mualthuam	1,377
18.	Haulawng	2,127
19.	Thingsai	2,201
20.	Thenzawl	3,441
21.	Darlung	1,412
22.	Kanghmun	945
23.	Buarpui	1,461
24.	Sialsuk	2,281
25.	Bunghmun	2,461
26.	Chawngte	3,113
Total VGC Population:		47,156
Extended Loop Areas (ELA)
1.	Darlawn	3,102
2.	Ngopa	1,952
3.	Suangpuilawn	2,322
4.	Kepran	2,136
5.	Ratu	1,498
6.	Hnahlan	2,270
7.	Changzawl	2,815
8.	Khawdungsei	1,425
9.	Vevek	2,098
10.	Zohmun	2,325
11.	Vanbawng	1,603
12.	Khawruhlian	3,058
13.	Phullen	2,051
14.	Mimbung	1,557
15.	Khawlian	1,843
16.	Phuaibuang	1,687
17.	Kawlbem	477
Total ELA Population:		34,219
Other centres
1.	Mamit	2,573
2.	Tuipang	1,365
3.	Sangau	approx. 1,000
Total Misc Population:		4,938
Total Population:		236,162

Sources

Books

• Goswami, B.B (1979). The Mizo Unrest: A Study of Politicisation of Culture (PDF). Jaipur: Aalekh Publishers.
• Hluna, Dr. J.V; Tochhawng, Rini (2012). The Mizo Uprising: Assam Assembly Debates on the Mizo Movement, 1966-1971. Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-44384042-2.
• Nag, Sajal (2016). "Disciplining Villages and Restoring Peace in the Countryside". In Samaddar, Ranabir (ed.). Government of Peace: Social Governance, Security and the Problematic of Peace. Delhi: Taylor and Francis. pp. 57–78. ISBN 9781317125389. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
• Nunthara, C (1996). Mizoram: Society and Polity. New Delhi: Indus Publishing Company. p. 42. ISBN 81-7387-059-4.
• Sinh, Ramdhir (2013). A Talent for War: The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh. Delhi: Vij Books India. ISBN 978-93-82652-23-6. Retrieved 12 November 2025.

Conference

• Nag, Sajal (2011). A Gigantic Panopticon: Counter Insurgency Operation and Modes of Discipline and Punishment in North East India (PDF). Development, Logistics, And, Governance: Fourth Critical Studies conference. Kokatta.

Journals

• Holt, Benjamin (2025). "An 'Elephant Trying to Chase a Rat': Indian COIN in the Mizo Hills, 1967–1970". War in History. 32 (4): 406–425. doi:10.1177/09683445241296844. {{cite journal}}: |url-access= requires |url= (help)
• Sundar, Nandini (2011). "Interning Insurgent Populations: the buried histories of Indian Democracy". Economic and Politically Weekly. 46 (6). Retrieved 13 February 2025.