Killings, Kidnappings and Blockades, Why Has Ethnic Violence Returned to Manipur?

Manipur, northeastern India, is once again facing a dangerous escalation of ethnic violence, with killings, kidnappings, village attacks and road blockades deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The latest wave of violence began in February 2026 with what initially appeared to be a verbal confrontation rooted in territorial disputes that have persisted for decades. But tensions quickly escalated into a broader cycle of ethnic violence involving killings, abductions, house burnings, gunfire and the closure of key roads.

Since the latest clashes began between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, 34 people have been killed, including at least seven who died in late August, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. The organization has warned that the violence could spread further and called for urgent measures to protect civilians on both sides.

The renewed clashes are part of a much larger and deeply entrenched conflict that has destabilized Manipur since May 2023. At that time, ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei community, most of whom are Hindu, and the Kuki-Zo community, most of whom are Christian. More than 260 people were killed and over 60,000 were displaced during that earlier wave of violence.

How did the latest round of violence begin?

The immediate trigger for the current confrontation dates back to February, when a limited dispute broke out in Ukhrul district. The situation deteriorated further in May after three Kuki church leaders were killed following a meeting with Naga pastors aimed at finding a way to end the hostilities.

The violence subsequently expanded. According to Human Rights Watch, armed groups from both sides abducted 48 people in May and held them hostage. Some of those abducted were later found dead.

Since February, villages have also witnessed homes being burned and exchanges of gunfire. Human Rights Watch says the state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, came to power in February on a promise to restore peace and reconciliation but has failed to take sufficient measures to end the violence and provide security for both communities.

Road blockades turn conflict into a humanitarian crisis

The confrontation has increasingly moved beyond direct attacks and into the roads on which residents depend for basic necessities.

In May, Naga groups blocked a national highway, disrupting the delivery of essential goods, food, fuel and medical supplies to Kangpokpi, an area with a predominantly Kuki-Zo population.

In July, Kuki-Zo groups responded with a counter-blockade that restricted the movement of goods toward the rival community. The groups partially lifted the blockade three days after Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called for freedom of movement along the state's roads.

However, some roads leading to villages remained closed to the transportation of goods, leaving communities vulnerable to shortages and rising prices.

The human cost of the blockades

The restrictions have had a direct impact on the price and availability of food and cooking-gas cylinders. Residents have also reported fuel shortages, making it increasingly difficult to reach hospitals at a time when seasonal illnesses are spreading across the region.

One testimony cited by Human Rights Watch illustrates the devastating consequences of the restrictions.

A three-month-old girl died on August 18 after suffering from a high fever, vomiting and breathing difficulties. Her 32-year-old Kuki father said he was unable to take her to Kangpokpi Hospital, located about 32 kilometers away. He explained that villages were experiencing shortages of medicines and that many sick people did not know where they could obtain medical treatment.

For families living in isolated communities, the consequences of the conflict therefore extend far beyond the immediate threat of violence. Blocked roads can mean that food, fuel and medicine become inaccessible precisely when people need them most.

“Everything was gone”

The situation has also generated fear among Naga communities.

A Naga pastor described how his village came under attack on September 1. Loithoiboi Neumai, who was wounded by gunfire in Old Tapon village in Kangpokpi district, said security forces were slow to respond after armed Kuki men opened fire and burned homes, including his own.

“Everything was gone,” he said, including his documents.

His account highlights another dimension of the crisis: for residents whose homes have been destroyed, the loss is not limited to property. Personal documents, belongings and the physical foundations of family life can disappear within minutes, leaving people with few resources to rebuild.

Human Rights Watch argues that the authorities have failed to prevent the escalation of violence. The organization has called on the government to restore freedom of movement for vehicles, remove unofficial checkpoints and guarantee humanitarian access to communities affected by the conflict.

An investigation that remains unfinished

The renewed violence is unfolding while an investigation into the previous wave of ethnic clashes has yet to be completed.

In June 2023, India's Home Ministry ordered an inquiry into the violence that had erupted that year. In February 2026, however, the retired judge who chaired the commission resigned, just three months before its latest deadline for completing its work.

The issue of assistance for displaced and affected communities also remains unresolved. In August, India's Supreme Court directed authorities to verify complaints alleging that several affected communities had not received adequate rehabilitation assistance and support.

Human Rights Watch has urged Indian authorities to continue disarming and demobilizing armed groups, provide urgent compensation to victims and survivors, and ensure that justice and accountability proceedings are conducted impartially.

A fragile peace under pressure

Manipur's latest crisis demonstrates how quickly unresolved territorial disputes, ethnic tensions and weak security responses can reignite violence.

The current confrontation is not an isolated episode. It follows years of mistrust between communities and comes against the backdrop of the much larger conflict that began in 2023. The persistence of armed groups, road blockades and displacement has made it increasingly difficult for civilians to return to a normal life.

For residents of affected areas, the immediate priorities are basic ones: safe roads, access to hospitals, reliable supplies of food and fuel, protection from armed attacks and the ability to return home without fear.

The challenge for the authorities is therefore not simply to contain individual outbreaks of violence but to address the underlying conditions that continue to fuel confrontation between communities.

As Manipur enters another period of instability, the humanitarian consequences are becoming increasingly difficult to separate from the security crisis. Every blocked road can restrict access to food or medicine, while every new attack risks deepening the mistrust that has already divided communities.

Without effective measures to restore freedom of movement, protect civilians, dismantle armed networks and provide meaningful assistance to victims, the cycle of violence risks continuing to undermine any prospect of lasting peace in northeastern India.