Deadly Violence Spreads in India’s Forgotten War Zone

Three years after riots severely impacted Manipur, the state is still grappling with instability. The presence of barbed wire and armed checkpoints has made movement difficult, even before recent conflicts.

An intensification of ethnic tensions currently affects the eastern state of Manipur in India. There are rising incidents of deadly ambushes, abductions, and protest marches, adding to an already volatile situation.

In recent weeks, the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has extended to include the Nagas, another ethnic group. The Kukis have engaged with the Nagas in Manipur’s hills, leading to disputes over territory and residency rights. This has resulted in more than a dozen casualties, including three Kuki church leaders ambushed on May 13. Several kidnappings have also occurred.

This is the most violent escalation since May 2023 when clashes between the Kukis and Meiteis led to hundreds of deaths. The Indian government intervened with paramilitary forces, dividing the state into heavily controlled segments to quell the fighting.

The Meiteis reside mainly in the state capital, Imphal, and the surrounding lowlands, whereas the Kukis inhabit the hills. Both communities continue their conflict across newly formed boundaries, leading to mass displacements. They regularly assign blame to one another for the persisting violence.