Two years after ethnic violence tore through Manipur, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), uprooted by the unrest between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, continue to live in overcrowded relief camps, hoping to return home. Despite efforts by central and state authorities, the situation remains tense as violence continues and families displaced by the strife are still grappling with uncertainty.
The ethnic violence between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted on May 3, 2023, killing over 260 people and leaving more than 1,500 injured, and at least 70,000 displaced.Even after 24 months, tensions remain high as the hill-based Kuki community demands a separate administration, while the Meiteis, the dominant group in the Imphal valley, call for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the deportation of individuals they regard as illegal immigrants.
In response to the government’s failure to contain the crisis, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned earlier this year, leading to the imposition of President’s rule in the northeastern state on February 13, 2025. The Manipur state assembly, whose ends in 2027, has since been placed under suspended animation.
As today marks the second anniversary of the ethnic strife, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) called for a complete shutdown in all Kuki-majority areas on May 3. They encouraged public participation in an event organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum at the district headquarters in Churachandpur.
In a joint statement, the student bodies urged residents to mark the day in silence, close educational and commercial establishments, and hoist black flags at their homes as a symbol of mourning.
In view of the occasion and given the tense situation, authorities have imposed several restrictions ahead of the observance. The Manipur government banned the wearing of camouflage or combat uniforms and the display of festoons and slogans that could provoke communal sentiments during public events. Churachandpur district magistrate limited the use of loudspeakers to the designated venue and prohibited items that could be used as weapons.
Though a gathering was permitted at the Wall of Remembrance in Tuibong, restrictions were put in place to ensure public safety and prevent any escalation.
Meanwhile, twenty-one MLAs from Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting the formation of a popular government in the state. They emphasised that restoring a democratic government is vital for establishing peace and normalcy in the state.
Here is a timeline of events that have unfolded in Manipur so far:
April 20, 2023: The Manipur High Court directed the state government to consider the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, setting a deadline of May 19 for recommendations.
April 28, 2023: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) called for a total shutdown in protest. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s planned visit to Churachandpur was cancelled after protesters vandalise the venue.
May 3, 2023: All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ opposing ST status for Meiteis. The rally was attended by thousands of people, but some miscerants set fire to the Anglo-Kuki War centenary gate leading to clashes in Churachandpur.
May 4, 2023: CM Biren Singh called violence a “misunderstanding between two communities.” Three people died out of the 33 critically injured in the clashes the previous day. Over the next few days, the violence continued with arson, with Singh ordering shoot-at-sight orders. The government imposed a curfew in eight districts and the Indian Army and paramilitary forces were deployed.
May 8, 2023: CM Singh said 60 people died in the violence and 231 others were injured. Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court directed the union and state governments to ensure basic amenities like food, water, etc. in relief camps for internally displaced people.
May 29, 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur. Several reports of mobs looting over 3,000 arms from police armories surface between May 4 and 29.
June 12–14, 2023: The Khamenlok clash took place, where around 3,000 Meiteis attacked Kuki villages in Kangpokpi district, with reports suggesting over 200 fatalities.
July 19, 2023: A video of two Kuki women being stripped and paraded naked circulated on social media, sparking nationwide outrage. The Supreme Court criticised the state’s handling of the incident.
July 20, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for the first time about the violence amid criticism from the opposition. Referring to the video of the two women, PM Modi said this is “shameful for any civil society”.
Supreme Court also took cognisance of the video with the then Chief Justice Of India DY Chandrchud saying, “We will give some time to the government to act, or we will take action…This is deeply disturbing”.
August 7, 2023: The Supreme Court appointed a committee led by retired Justice Gita Mittal to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts in Manipur.
August 10, 2023: Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against BJP-led central government.
September 26, 2023: Photos of two missing Meitei students surfaced online, leading to renewed tensions and another internet suspension.
January 21, 2024: A resolution was passed by the Manipur Assembly to abrogate the Suspension of Operations agreement with armed militants, citing civilian casualties.
April 19, 2024: Violence, voter intimidation, and booth capturing were reported during first phase of Lok Sabha polls, following which the Election Commission ordered re-polling in 11 polling booths on April 22.
April 26, 2024: Incidents of disturbance were reported again during the Lok Sabha election phase two with ECI ordering re-polling in six polling booths on April 30.
September 2024: After a period of relative calm, tensions grew again after a purported audio clip featuring offensive remarks about a community, allegedly from CM Singh, surfaced on social media. This sparked violence, which claimed lives of 11 people.
October 18, 2024: 19 BJP MLAs wrote to PM Modi demanding to remove Biren Singh from CM post.
November 2024: Tensions were triggered once again after six people, who went missing from a relief camp following a gunfight between Kuki militants and security forces, were found dead near the Manipur-Assam border.
Conrad Sangma’s National Peoples’ Party (NPP) withdrew support to the Biren Singh-led government.
February 9, 2025: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned amid mounting pressure over his handling of the ongoing ethnic clashes. Congress had also said to bring a no-confidence motion against his government.
February 13, 2025: President’s Rule imposed in Manipur, taking direct control of the state’s administration through Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
March 8, 2025: Clashes broke out in Kangpokpi district when Kuki demonstrators opposed to Amit Shah’s directive for free movement across the state and confronted security forces. The violence led to the death of a protester and injuries to over 40 individuals, including women and policemen. Protesters set private vehicles on fire and obstructed the Imphal-Senapati route, leading to an indefinite shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas.
April, 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), representing Meitei interests, organised a protest march in Bishnupur district for the removal of army barricades that prevented displaced Meiteis from returning to their homes in Torbung. The march defied curfew orders and led to confrontations with police and several getting injured.
May 3, 2025: The situation remains tense with urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region due to the massive impact of the prolonged conflict.
