Manipur continues to grapple with a complex and protracted ethnic conflict that has evolved into new and dangerous dimensions by mid-2026. What began as a primarily Meitei-Kuki confrontation in May 2023 has now drawn in Naga communities, with abductions emerging as a key tactic, alongside recurring highway shutdowns that paralyse the state’s economy and daily life. Over 260 people have been killed, tens of thousands displaced, and deep societal divisions persist despite intermittent peace efforts.
Roots of the Conflict
The northeastern state of Manipur is geographically and demographically divided. The fertile Imphal Valley, covering about 10% of the land, is home to the majority Meitei community (mostly Hindu). The surrounding hills, comprising 90% of the territory, are inhabited by tribal groups, primarily Kuki-Zo (mostly Christian) and Nagas, who enjoy Scheduled Tribe protections including safeguards on land ownership.
Tensions boiled over in May 2023 following a Manipur High Court directive (later stayed) suggesting Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis. Kuki-Zo groups feared this would erode their land rights and affirmative action benefits. Violence erupted rapidly, leading to widespread arson, displacement, and deaths. Underlying issues include competition for resources, political representation (valley areas dominate assembly seats), allegations of illegal immigration and poppy cultivation, and the proliferation of armed groups.
By 2026, the conflict has mutated. While the core Meitei-Kuki divide remains, clashes between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups in overlapping hill districts like Kangpokpi and Senapati have intensified, creating multi-sided tensions.
Abductions as a New Weapon
In May 2026, abductions have become a prominent feature of the unrest. Following an ambush on May 13 near Kotlen/Tiger Road in Kangpokpi district, where three Kuki (Thadou Baptist) church leaders were killed, retaliatory actions led to dozens of civilians being taken hostage from both Kuki and Naga communities.
Reports indicate around 38-44 people were initially held, with roughly balanced numbers from each side. Many were daily wage labourers, students, or ordinary civilians. By mid-May, 28 individuals (14 from each community) had been released through negotiations and security interventions, but several others, including six Naga men, remained in captivity. Protests erupted in areas like Kanglatombi, with community organisations demanding safe releases.
Security forces have intensified rescue operations, but the pattern of “unknown armed miscreants” and mutual accusations complicates accountability. This tactic of hostage-taking is being used to assert control, demand concessions, and exert pressure amid fragile ethnic fault lines.
Highway Shutdowns and Economic Paralysis
Hill-based groups frequently impose bandhs (total shutdowns) and blockades on critical national highways, particularly NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur), which serves as the lifeline for goods, fuel, and passengers into the valley.
The May 13 killings triggered immediate protests and extended shutdowns in Kuki-Zo areas, including Churachandpur, where markets closed and roads emptied. Such disruptions cause acute shortages, spike prices, and strand hundreds of vehicles. Similar shutdowns by Naga or other tribal bodies have affected multiple districts, highlighting how “shutdown politics” impacts civilians across communities regardless of the original dispute.
Current Governance and Peace Efforts
President’s Rule was lifted in February 2026, with BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister. His government has initiated dialogues, including a March 2026 meeting with Kuki-Zo representatives — the first direct cross-community talks in years — and a central six-point peace plan.
However, sporadic violence, including ambushes, shootings, and rocket attacks, continues. Buffer zones maintained by central forces (Army, CRPF, Assam Rifles) provide some separation, but the state remains heavily armed, with looted weapons and porous borders with Myanmar adding to the challenges.
A Path Forward?
Three years into the crisis, Manipur is marked by ethnic segregation, long-term relief camps, destroyed homes and places of worship, and eroded trust. While the intensity has reduced from the 2023 peak, underlying grievances over land, identity, development, and power-sharing remain unresolved.
Sustainable peace requires not just security operations and talks, but genuine addressing of root causes: inclusive development, disarmament, accountability for violence, and confidence-building measures across communities. As long as highways remain tools of protest and civilians pawns in ethnic leverage, normalcy will remain elusive for the people of Manipur.
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