The violence has persisted despite the imposition of the President’s Rule in February 2025, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. While security deployments have increased and efforts have been made to restore order, fresh protests in January and February 2026 signal that underlying grievances remain unresolved. At the heart of the crisis lies a complex mix of land rights, identity politics, historical grievances and competing visions of autonomy. The Meitei community, which largely inhabits the Imphal Valley, forms a demographic majority in the state. The Kuki-Zo tribes, predominantly Christian and residing in the hill districts such as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, consider themselves historically marginalised.
In 2023, tensions escalated after a demand by Meitei groups for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status — a designation that would grant them access to land and job protections currently reserved for tribal communities. Kuki-Zo leaders viewed this as a direct threat to their constitutional safeguards, fearing land encroachment in the hill districts. The situation spiraled into violence following protests organised by tribal groups. Homes were burned, churches and temples vandalised, and entire localities emptied as families fled to relief camps. Reports of killings and sexual violence shocked the nation and drew international attention.
British weekly The Economist described the conflict as ethnic violence that destroyed thousands of homes and made reconciliation increasingly difficult. Civil society organisations, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, have pointed to “state failures” in preventing the escalation. At the same time, Meitei organisations argue that they too have suffered displacement and attacks, particularly in mixed-population areas. They oppose demands for a separate administration for Kuki-Zo areas, viewing such proposals as a threat to Manipur’s territorial integrity. One of the central demands of Kuki-Zo groups is the creation of a separate administrative arrangement — possibly a Union Territory — for the hill districts. They argue that coexistence under the current structure has become untenable due to security concerns and loss of trust.
Ten Kuki legislators voiced support for such an arrangement as early as May 2023. Organisations such as Kuki Inpi Manipur and the Kuki-Zo Council have reiterated this demand in recent months, refusing participation in the state government until a political solution is found. However, this proposal faces strong resistance from Meitei civil society groups and political stakeholders in New Delhi. Critics warn that redrawing administrative boundaries could set a precedent for further fragmentation in India’s sensitive northeastern region.
The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP, has emphasised security stabilisation and arms recovery. The fact that thousands of weapons were looted from police armories in 2023 remains a serious concern. Security forces have conducted combing operations and imposed restrictions aimed at preventing further clashes
Yet critics argue that security measures alone cannot heal the wounds.
The crisis in Manipur is not simply a clash between two communities. It is a warning about how fragile social harmony can become when grievances remain unaddressed. Ethnic identity, land rights and political power are deeply emotional issues. Mishandling them has consequences. Both communities must reject hate speech and retaliatory violence. Civil society, church bodies, women’s groups and student unions have a role to play in rebuilding dialogue. Political leaders must show restraint and empathy rather than mobilising support through fear. Most importantly, the government must recognise that restoring “normalcy” is not the same as restoring trust. Roads can reopen and curfews can lift, yet wounds may remain unhealed.
Manipur needs more than law and order. It needs a political settlement grounded in fairness, constitutional safeguards and mutual respect. Until that happens, the state will remain trapped in a cycle of protest, crackdown and renewed tension.
India’s strength lies in managing diversity through dialogue. Manipur deserves nothing less.