Manipur: Deep In Throes Of Crisis

Manipur is gripped by an escalating crisis, with citizens facing a dire lack of basic rights, including the right to life. Security forces have little control over the situation, as abductions and killings occur in the name of ethnic disputes. The latest violence erupted after the discovery of the desecrated bodies of two Kuki youths who went missing on October 28.

This has sparked violent protests in the state capital, Kangpokpi, leading to the closure of major highways and a shutdown by Kuki organizations. The situation was further exacerbated by the killing of three Kuki men in a gun battle in Noney district, and allegations of attacks on Kuki settlements and the burning of houses.

This tragic cycle of violence has been ongoing since May 2023, when Kukis were forced out of the Imphal Valley. The state has been effectively split into two hostile regions, with the Meiteis holding power in the valley and the Kukis concentrated in the surrounding hills. The disruption of road connectivity has left thousands of families homeless and without livelihoods, while the economic impact has been devastating.

Education has been disrupted for children, and the overall development of the state has come to a standstill.

Despite assurances from authorities that conditions would improve, the hope for a new government to restore normalcy has not materialized. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who took office in February 2026, has failed to gain the trust of the people. The sight of protesters bringing bodies to his official residence is a stark reminder of the government's inability to ensure security, even in the state capital.

The administration itself is divided along ethnic lines, making it challenging to coordinate a united response.

The central government cannot evade its responsibility for this crisis. Its initial failure to act allowed the situation to worsen rapidly. The central authorities were hesitant to intervene decisively when it could have prevented further deterioration. Even now, there is a lack of a comprehensive political strategy to restore confidence among the warring communities.

Manipur is an essential part of India, and its people cannot be left to suffer alone. Restoring peace, safeguarding lives, and maintaining constitutional governance are vital duties of the Union government, not mere acts of charity.