The northeastern state of Manipur has been engulfed in ethnic violence since May 2023, representing what many critics describe as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most significant domestic governance and internal security failure. What started as clashes between the dominant Meitei community and Kuki-Zo tribal groups has claimed over 250 lives, displaced more than 60,000 people, destroyed thousands of homes, churches, and properties, and created deep, seemingly intractable divisions. Despite the deployment of central forces, periodic statements from the government, and changes in state leadership, lasting peace remains elusive even in mid-2026.

This prolonged conflict has drawn sharp criticism for the Modi government’s initial silence, perceived inaction, and inability to bridge ethnic fault lines in a strategically important border state. For a leader known for decisive action on national security issues, the handling of Manipur stands out as a glaring exception, raising questions about political priorities, federal coordination, and the management of India’s diverse ethnic landscape.

Background and Triggers of the Violence

Manipur, a state with a complex demographic makeup, has long experienced underlying tensions between the valley-dwelling Meiteis (who form the majority) and hill-based tribal communities, including the Kuki-Zo groups. These tensions revolve around land rights, political representation, affirmative action, and resource allocation.

The immediate spark came in April 2023 when the Manipur High Court directed the state government to consider granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. Tribals viewed this as a threat to their existing protections under the Constitution, fearing it would allow Meiteis greater access to reserved lands and jobs in the hills. Protests escalated rapidly into violence on May 3, 2023, with mobs attacking villages, setting homes ablaze, and engaging in brutal confrontations.

Accusations flew in both directions: Meitei groups alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar and poppy cultivation by Kukis fueling the unrest, while Kuki-Zo communities pointed to majoritarian policies under the BJP-led state government of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The conflict quickly took on communal overtones, with reports of targeted killings, sexual violence, and the desecration of religious sites. Graphic videos, including one showing women being paraded naked, shocked the nation and the world, amplifying calls for intervention.

The Government’s Response: From Silence to Limited Action

One of the most persistent criticisms has been Prime Minister Modi’s prolonged public silence. For over two months after the violence erupted, there was no significant statement from the PM addressing the crisis directly. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accused him of neglecting Manipur and “killing Mother India” through inaction. A no-confidence motion in Parliament in August 2023 forced Modi to speak, where he emphasized efforts to restore normalcy but faced walkouts and sharp rebuttals.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state and held meetings, leading to the deployment of additional security forces. Thousands of FIRs were filed, and hundreds arrested. However, reports indicated that state armouries were looted, providing militants and mobs with sophisticated weapons, complicating restoration of order.

President’s Rule was imposed in 2025 amid continued instability, acknowledging the state government’s limitations. It was lifted in February 2026 with the installation of a new BJP Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh. PM Modi finally visited Manipur in September 2025, over two years into the crisis. While the government highlights reduced violence levels and ongoing dialogues, fresh incidents — such as a rocket attack in April 2026 killing two children in Bishnupur — underscore the fragility.

Critics argue that the approach has been reactive rather than proactive. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have called for stronger action to end the cycle of violence, release hostages, rehabilitate the displaced, and ensure accountability. The persistence of segregated living arrangements, with communities avoiding each other’s areas, points to a failure in reconciliation efforts.

Impacts on People and Society

The human cost of this conflict is immense. Over 60,000 people remain displaced, living in makeshift relief camps with inadequate access to basic amenities, education, and healthcare. Women and children have borne a disproportionate burden, with reports of trauma, loss of livelihoods, and fear becoming normalized.

Economically, Manipur has suffered heavily. Agriculture, small businesses, and tourism — once potential growth areas — have been devastated. Highways have faced blockades, disrupting supplies and connectivity. The state’s image as a peaceful corner of the Northeast has been tarnished, affecting investment and development projects.

Socially, the violence has deepened ethnic polarization. An entire generation is growing up amid hatred and fear, as noted by local voices. Churches and temples have been destroyed, eroding the state’s cultural fabric. Militant groups have exploited the chaos, with factional clashes adding another layer of instability.

For the Modi government, which prides itself on integrating the Northeast through initiatives like Act East Policy, infrastructure development, and political outreach, Manipur represents a major setback. Electoral gains in the region earlier have been overshadowed by this crisis, fueling narratives of neglect for peripheral states.

Broader Political and Strategic Implications

The Manipur crisis has national ramifications. It has provided ammunition to opposition parties, who contrast Modi’s frequent foreign visits and high-profile domestic events with the absence of sustained focus on the state. International attention, including resolutions from bodies like the European Parliament, has embarrassed the government, prompting defensive responses about internal matters.

Strategically, Manipur shares a porous border with Myanmar, a region plagued by its own instability. Concerns over illegal immigration, drug trafficking (poppy cultivation), and arms smuggling have national security dimensions. The government’s probe into demographic changes reflects these worries, but critics say enforcement has been uneven.

Supporters of the government point to the complexity of ethnic issues, which predate BJP rule and involve deep historical grievances. They argue that central forces have prevented worse outcomes, and that political opponents are exaggerating for gains. PM Modi has called for rising above politics to achieve peace.

However, even some BJP sympathizers have expressed disappointment over the handling, questioning the silence and the effectiveness of the state leadership. The repeated cycles of flare-ups suggest that mere security measures are insufficient without addressing political and socio-economic roots.

The Path Forward: What Needs to Be Done

Ending the Manipur crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. First, sustained and inclusive dialogue between Meitei and Kuki-Zo representatives, facilitated impartially by the Centre. Recent talks initiated by the new Chief Minister are a positive step, but they need follow-through.

Second, complete disarmament and recovery of looted weapons, coupled with action against militant elements exploiting the divide. Third, rehabilitation of displaced persons with security guarantees for return to homes. Fourth, long-term measures on land rights, ST status demands, border management, and equitable development to reduce resource conflicts.

Finally, greater political accountability and frequent high-level engagement from the top leadership could rebuild trust. PM Modi’s government has demonstrated capability in crisis management elsewhere; applying similar urgency to Manipur is essential.

Three years on, the Manipur conflict endures as a blot on India’s internal cohesion and a test of federal governance. While the Modi administration has taken steps, the scale of suffering and the failure to achieve durable peace position it as one of the biggest challenges — and arguably failures — of his tenure in handling domestic ethnic strife.

For the people of Manipur, who have contributed significantly to India’s sports, culture, and defense, the wait for normalcy has been too long. Resolving this crisis is not just about law and order; it is about reaffirming the idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” in one of its most diverse corners. Without genuine reconciliation, the wounds will fester, affecting the entire Northeast and beyond.

As India aspires to global leadership, healing Manipur remains an urgent imperative. The government, opposition, civil society, and communities must prioritize peace over politics. Only then can Manipur move from burning to building a shared future.

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