The ethnic violence in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023 between the predominantly valley-dwelling Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups in the surrounding hills, continues to cast a long shadow over the state. Triggered by disputes over land rights, resource allocation, and demands for Scheduled Tribe status, the conflict has led to deep ethnic segregation and sporadic flare-ups even into early 2026. While large-scale clashes have somewhat subsided since the peak in 2023–2024, the human cost remains profound, with ordinary families—farmers, students, traders, and daily wage earners—bearing the heaviest burden.
Official figures indicate that the violence has claimed at least 260 lives and injured over 1,000 people, while displacing more than 60,000 residents. As of late 2025 and into 2026, around 57,000 people from both communities were still living in relief camps, down from higher initial numbers due to partial resettlement efforts. Thousands of homes, villages, churches, and temples have been destroyed, leaving entire communities fractured along ethnic lines.
Displacement and the Struggle in Relief Camps
For nearly three years, tens of thousands have called makeshift relief camps home. Conditions in these camps—often overcrowded with poor sanitation—have led to outbreaks of diseases such as measles, dysentery, and fever. Chronic patients suffering from cancer, kidney failure, tuberculosis, or requiring dialysis face severe challenges in accessing specialized care, with some forced to travel to neighboring states. Reports highlight additional deaths in camps due to inadequate medical support and harsh living conditions, including during successive winters.
Many displaced individuals describe a life of uncertainty and loss. Families that once lived in their own homes now rely on limited government or community aid, often receiving just two modest meals a day of questionable quality. The psychological toll is immense: widespread trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and even suicides have been reported. Women and children have been particularly vulnerable, with documented cases of sexual violence and public humiliation during the initial waves of conflict adding layers of lasting distress.
Economic Devastation and Livelihood Losses
Everyday economic activities have ground to a halt in many areas due to ethnic segregation. Travel between the Imphal Valley and hill districts remains restricted or risky, disrupting markets, farming, and trade. Small business owners, such as fruit sellers or shopkeepers, have seen their incomes collapse dramatically. Supply chains for essentials like food, fuel, and medicines have been affected, leading to price fluctuations and shortages.
Agricultural lands and properties have been abandoned or destroyed, pushing many into poverty. Youth unemployment has risen, further fueling frustration. The broader state economy has suffered, with reduced exports and halted normal commerce. In the 2026–27 budget, the Manipur government allocated ₹734 crore specifically for rehabilitation and resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs), signaling recognition of the ongoing economic crisis, though implementation faces hurdles amid lingering insecurity.
Disruption to Education, Healthcare, and Social Life
Schools and colleges have experienced repeated interruptions, affecting students’ academic progress and mental well-being. Displaced children often study in makeshift arrangements within camps, while those pursuing higher education outside Manipur worry about family support. Healthcare services remain patchy, with many depending on NGOs and local volunteers.
Social fabric has been torn apart. Longstanding inter-community friendships, shared festivals, and mixed neighborhoods are largely gone. Daily routines now involve navigating checkpoints, curfews, and an atmosphere of mistrust. Sports, cultural events, and simple social interactions across ethnic lines have become rare or impossible.
Ongoing Insecurity and Uncertain Future
Although intensity has decreased, periodic incidents—including mob violence, firing, and protests—persist, as seen in reports from early 2026. The imposition of President’s Rule in early 2025 reflected the political turmoil, followed by efforts toward a new government and reconciliation calls. The central and state governments have pursued phased resettlement, with plans to close many relief camps and construct new housing. However, many displaced people express fear of returning to destroyed or contested areas due to continued threats from armed groups or vigilantes.
Civil society groups, women’s organizations like the Meira Paibi, and community leaders from both sides have shown resilience, sometimes coming together in rallies for peace and safe rehabilitation. Yet, deep-seated mistrust, demands for justice and accountability for atrocities (including sexual violence), and unresolved root causes continue to complicate recovery.
In essence, the ethnic violence in Manipur has transformed ordinary life into a prolonged ordeal of survival, separation, and waiting. While some progress in reducing camp numbers and allocating rehabilitation funds offers a glimmer of hope, thousands remain in limbo—homeless in their own state, economically strained, and emotionally scarred. Sustainable peace will require not just physical resettlement but genuine dialogue, security guarantees, and inclusive development that addresses the aspirations and fears of all communities. Until then, the daily struggles of Manipur’s ordinary citizens underscore the devastating human face of unresolved ethnic conflict.
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