Manipur Conflict Enters Another Difficult Phase

Manipur is once again facing a dangerous escalation of ethnic violence, with fresh shootings, killings and arson reported across its hill districts. The latest incidents underline how deeply the conflict that erupted in May 2023 remains unresolved, despite changes in political leadership, periods of central administration and repeated official assurances that normalcy is being restored.

The scale of the crisis is reflected in figures presented by Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam in the state Assembly. According to the figures, 306 people, including security personnel, had been killed and 49 remained missing as of 31 August 2026 since the wider ethnic conflict began in May 2023. The violence has also displaced tens of thousands of people and disrupted ordinary life across large parts of the state.

The latest phase has added a significant Kuki-Zo–Naga dimension to a conflict that initially became internationally associated mainly with clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Human Rights Watch reported in September that at least 34 people had been killed in violence between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February 2026. It also noted that the wider conflict since May 2023 had already caused more than 260 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people.

September has brought another series of deadly incidents. On 13 September, four people, including two women, were killed in separate attacks in Tamenglong and Noney districts. Police and local reports described attacks on Kuki villages, while the identities of the perpetrators remained subject to investigation and competing allegations. The killings occurred amid an already tense atmosphere between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities.

Two days later, on 15 September, two Kuki women were shot dead at Leisangphai in Tamenglong district while they were reportedly collecting firewood. Officials said the attackers also set several farmhouses on fire. The incident further intensified fears among residents in remote settlements, where access to security forces and emergency services can be difficult.

The violence had already escalated earlier in September. On 1 September, several Naga houses were reportedly set ablaze in villages in Kangpokpi district, shortly after three Kuki civilians were killed in an armed attack in the same broader area. The sequence illustrated the retaliatory character of the violence, in which an attack on one community can rapidly trigger another round of attacks against civilians from another community.

Such incidents demonstrate that the security challenge is no longer confined to a single geographical or communal fault line. Violence has spread across different districts and increasingly involves overlapping ethnic, territorial and political grievances. The emergence of Kuki-Zo–Naga clashes has therefore created another layer in an already complicated conflict.

The political history of the crisis also shows how difficult it has been to restore stable governance. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned in February 2025 after months of ethnic unrest, following which President’s Rule was imposed. Nearly a year later, President’s Rule was revoked on 4 February 2026 and BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as chief minister. His government included deputy chief ministers representing the Kuki and Naga communities, signalling an attempt at broader political representation.

Yet the return to elected government has not ended violence. On 13 September, as fresh killings were reported, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said restoring peace and normalcy remained one of the government’s foremost responsibilities and called for unity and mutual understanding among Manipur’s communities. The continuing attacks nevertheless show the gap between political declarations and security conditions on the ground.

The humanitarian consequences extend beyond those directly killed or injured. Thousands of families remain displaced, many having spent years away from their homes. Communities face damaged houses, disrupted livelihoods, restricted movement and continuing fear of returning to areas where security remains uncertain. Human Rights Watch has called for renewed efforts to restore security and investigate abuses amid the latest violence.

Conditions in relief camps have also attracted judicial scrutiny. The Supreme Court has recently questioned authorities over reported unnatural deaths in relief camps and concerns about the investigation and compensation process. Such judicial intervention highlights that displacement itself has become a serious humanitarian and governance challenge rather than merely a temporary consequence of the conflict.

The central challenge for Manipur is therefore not simply stopping individual attacks. A sustainable reduction in violence requires protection of civilians, credible investigations, accountability for perpetrators, secure conditions for displaced families and sustained dialogue among communities. The competing claims surrounding individual incidents make impartial investigations particularly important, because unverified accusations can deepen mistrust and encourage further retaliation.

More than three years after the conflict began, the figures of 306 deaths and 49 missing people provide a stark measure of the unresolved crisis. The fresh killings in September demonstrate that violence remains capable of resurfacing even after major political and administrative changes. For Manipur, restoring normal life will ultimately depend on whether security measures are accompanied by credible reconciliation, protection for vulnerable communities and mechanisms capable of addressing the grievances that continue to drive communal confrontation.