Two Years of Turmoil: The Ongoing Crisis in Manipur
Two Years of Turmoil: The Ongoing Crisis in Manipur
In May 2025, Manipur completes two years of a devastating ethnic conflict that has torn through its social fabric, claimed hundreds of lives, and displaced tens of thousands. Despite the prolonged nature and intensity of the crisis, a definitive solution remains elusive. The muted response at the national level and limited discourse on one of India’s most disturbing internal conflicts raise serious concerns about the treatment of borderland issues in India’s political imagination.
Deep-Rooted Historical Divisions
Manipur’s current situation cannot be understood without examining its long-standing ethnic and territorial divides. The state, situated in Northeast India, is home to multiple ethnic groups, the most prominent among them being the Meiteis (mostly Hindu) who reside in the fertile Imphal Valley, and the hill-dwelling Kuki and Naga tribes, who are predominantly Christian.
While the Meiteis have historically dominated political and economic life, the tribal communities have maintained a degree of autonomy, largely due to the constitutional protection of their land in the hills. However, this spatial segregation has bred mutual suspicion. The application of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960, only to valley areas, contributed to the perception among hill tribes that Meitei influence was creeping into their territory. This historic mistrust laid the groundwork for future confrontations.
Events Leading to the May 2023 Eruption
While ethnic tensions have simmered for decades, the chain of events in late 2022 and early 2023 sparked unprecedented violence. The government’s classification of over 30 tribal villages in Churachandpur as “illegal encroachments” triggered widespread anger. Subsequent eviction drives targeting tribal forest dwellers further deepened resentment.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a Meitei, was accused of making inflammatory remarks linking Kuki communities to drug trafficking, forest destruction, and illegal immigration. His administration's decision to terminate Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements with certain Kuki militant outfits in March 2023 intensified hostilities, although this move was not endorsed by the Centre.
However, the immediate trigger came on April 19, 2023, when the Manipur High Court ordered the state government to consider granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis. This verdict stoked deep fears among Kukis and Nagas, who believed such recognition would enable Meiteis to access tribal land in the hills, threatening their identity, livelihoods, and existing constitutional safeguards.
May 3: The Flashpoint and Rapid Escalation
On May 3, 2023, the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) staged a “Tribal Solidarity March” across the hill districts, opposing the Meitei ST demand. The event attracted a massive turnout and soon led to a violent backlash in the valley. Tensions escalated dramatically along fault lines like Bishnupur and Churachandpur, where retaliatory attacks, including arson and killings, erupted almost simultaneously.
Symbolic sites became flashpoints—the torching of the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial and the discovery of dead bodies near Kangvai marked the tipping point. From this moment onward, organized mobs, communal targeting, and retaliatory violence engulfed the state.
Armed Conflict and the Breakdown of Law and Order
The conflict soon assumed the characteristics of a civil war. Armed militias emerged from both sides, and the looting of police armories by Meitei groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun further worsened the situation. As of October 2023, thousands of arms and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition had been stolen.
Both tribal and valley groups militarized rapidly. The violence featured organized mob attacks, arson, mass sexual violence, and religious targeting. According to various estimates, over 4,700 homes were destroyed, and 400 churches and 132 temples were either damaged or demolished.
The attack was not limited to infrastructure. A shocking incident in July 2023, where two Kuki women were paraded naked and assaulted by a mob while police allegedly looked on, shock the conscience of the nation. Yet, this incident only received widespread attention after a video of it went viral two months later, reflecting the systemic underreporting of the crisis.
Governance Failure and Allegations of State Bias
The Manipur government’s response to the unfolding crisis attracted widespread condemnation. A state-wide internet blackout was imposed, which lasted over two months, significantly affecting relief operations and the flow of verified information. While authorities claimed it was necessary to curb misinformation, critics alleged that the blackout enabled impunity.
Security forces were accused of partisanship, with allegations that some Meitei-led state units facilitated the violence or failed to intervene. Human Rights Watch and other observers called for independent inquiries into state complicity.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s credibility eroded further when alleged audio tapes surfaced, suggesting his involvement in inciting violence. Facing mounting pressure, Singh eventually resigned on February 9, 2025, after nearly two years of unrest. President’s Rule was subsequently imposed, placing the state under direct control of the Union government.
Humanitarian Toll and Call for Separate Administration
The human cost of the conflict has been staggering. As of late 2024, official reports confirmed 258 deaths, though other estimates suggest higher numbers. Over 60,000 people were internally displaced, with many living in overcrowded relief camps lacking sanitation, healthcare, and security.
The Kuki community, feeling abandoned by the state, called for a separate administrative arrangement in May 2023. All 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs supported this demand, stating that coexistence with the Meitei community had become untenable under the current political setup.
National and International Responses
The Central Government’s initial inaction attracted criticism. Prime Minister Modi remained silent on the crisis for nearly three months, prompting the opposition to file a no-confidence motion to compel a parliamentary response.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur and held high-level meetings, but critics argue that substantive outcomes were limited. The Supreme Court intervened after the July 2023 viral video incident, issuing strong warnings to the state machinery.
International bodies, including UN human rights experts, raised alarms over the humanitarian fallout. In September 2023, the UN highlighted widespread abuses, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement. The U.S. also flagged the situation in its annual human rights report, bringing global visibility to the crisis.
The Road Ahead: Rebuilding Trust and Governance
As Manipur enters the third year of this traumatic conflict, the path to peace remains unclear. The restoration of normalcy requires more than administrative control. It demands a political dialogue rooted in justice, reconciliation, and mutual respect. Structural issues like land rights, reservation benefits, ethnic representation, and autonomy must be addressed with sensitivity and constitutional backing.
The silence and slow response from national institutions have only deepened distrust. For any meaningful resolution, both the state and central governments must prioritize truth-telling, institutional accountability, and long-term reconciliation processes. Only through inclusive governance and equitable development can Manipur rebuild its shattered peace and reimagine a shared future.