Once hailed as a culturally rich and scenic northeastern state, Manipur now stands fractured&mdash;its social fabric torn apart by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted in May 2023 and shows no sign of resolution. What began as a legal tussle over Scheduled Tribe (ST) status has exposed decades of political neglect, ethnic distrust, and policy paralysis. This violence is not a standalone episode&mdash;it is rooted in decades of unresolved historical, political, and ethnic tensions.
Manipur&rsquo;s demography is roughly divided between the majority Meiteis, who live in the central Imphal Valley, and the tribal Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, who inhabit the surrounding hill districts. While Meiteis constitute over 50% of the state&rsquo;s population and dominate the political and bureaucratic structures, they are not entitled to ST benefits. The Kuki-Zo tribes, recognized as Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution, enjoy access to reserved seats in education and employment and exclusive rights to own land in the hills. This structural arrangement, combined with perceived inequalities, has long fueled resentment.
Historically, the region has witnessed several waves of ethnic unrest. In the 1990s, over a thousand Kukis were killed in the Kuki&ndash;Naga conflict, allegedly instigated by Naga insurgent groups such as NSCN(IM). In 2001, protests erupted in the Meitei-dominated valley over the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), particularly after the alleged custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama. In 2015, Meitei-led demands for Inner Line Permit regulations led to protests in tribal-dominated Churachandpur, where nine tribal youths were killed. Their bodies remained unburied for months as a powerful symbol of hill resentment toward the valley administration.
The present conflict was triggered on May 3, 2023, when the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a solidarity march in Churachandpur to protest a Manipur High Court directive urging the state government to consider granting ST status to the Meitei community. The peaceful protest turned violent, with reports of government buildings being torched and retaliatory attacks soon following. Meitei mobs allegedly targeted Kuki settlements in Imphal, while Kuki militants struck Meitei areas in the hills. Over 250 churches and temples were destroyed, and more than 60,000 people were displaced in just the first few weeks.
One of the most horrifying incidents was the public sexual assault of two Kuki women in Kangpokpi, filmed and shared online, drawing national and international condemnation. The video surfaced two months after the incident, revealing the state's failure to act swiftly. The violence was exacerbated by the mass looting of police armouries&mdash;over 4,000 weapons and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were taken. Valley-based Meitei groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun have been accused of carrying out coordinated attacks on Kuki villages, especially in mixed population areas like Moreh and Bishnupur.
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By the end of 2023, Manipur had been effectively partitioned along ethnic lines: Meiteis remained in the Imphal Valley, while Kukis were confined to the hills. The creation of a buffer zone between the valley and the hills by central forces has been criticised as a formalisation of this ethnic segregation. Normal administrative functions have collapsed&mdash;schools, courts, and hospitals in conflict-affected regions remain either shut or heavily guarded. Economic activity, particularly in border trade zones like Moreh, has come to a standstill.
Amid mounting pressure and evidence of administrative failure, the Union Government imposed President&rsquo;s Rule in February 2025, suspending the state assembly. However, the situation on the ground remains fragile. Hundreds of FIRs have been filed, but few convictions have followed. Inter-community dialogue has stalled, and relief camps remain overcrowded with no clear rehabilitation plan in place. More than 60,000 people are still displaced, living in temporary shelters under trauma, uncertainty, and continued fear of violence.
The Meitei community maintains that ST status is crucial to protect their cultural and land rights, particularly in the face of migration and land encroachment. But tribal groups fear that such a move would erode their constitutional protections and allow Meiteis to buy land in hill areas, deepening socio-economic disparities. These fears are compounded by the Meiteis&rsquo; relatively higher literacy rates, political dominance, and access to state mechanisms.
The pathway to peace in Manipur demands much more than military deployments. Civil society groups and conflict experts have called for the appointment of neutral peace interlocutors, a comprehensive judicial inquiry into the violence (especially sexual violence), and the re-establishment of inter-community institutions. Additionally, the question of land ownership and autonomy needs to be addressed through transparent and inclusive dialogue. Some suggest granting special constitutional protections to Meiteis without altering the ST framework, while others advocate for a permanent peace and reconciliation commission. For any hope of peace, observers stress the need for:
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Transparent dialogue around land rights and autonomy
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Empowerment of civil society and inter-ethnic councils
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The Meitei&ndash;Kuki-Zo conflict is not just an ethnic issue&mdash;it&rsquo;s a litmus test for India&rsquo;s federal structure, minority protections, and constitutional justice. Unless urgent measures are taken to address both the historical roots and immediate grievances, Manipur risks descending into a state of protracted and irreversible ethnic division.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Years of ethnic tension erupt as Meiteis, Kuki-Zos clash over identity, land, and autonomy

Valley of Fire: Manipur's Ethnic Conflict Unfolds

Years of ethnic tension erupt as Meiteis, Kuki-Zos clash over identity, land, and autonomy

July 25, 2025 | 21:06 IST