Manipur sees fresh violence as Kuki and Naga groups clash in hill districts; 19 killed in September
Three years after the Meitei-Kuki violence began, a new front has opened between Kuki and Naga communities in districts that were largely spared earlier.
Three years have passed since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities, and a new front of conflict has since opened in Manipur. In 2026, the Kuki and Naga communities have come face to face in districts that were barely touched by the initial violence. The situation in the Imphal valley has remained comparatively calm, but the violence is concentrated mainly in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Noney, Tamenglong and Senapati.
The new round began on February 7, when a group of Kukis attacked a Tangkhul Naga man at Litan Sarekhong in Ukhrul district. Within three days, riots broke out in Ukhrul district, nearly 50 houses were burnt, a curfew had to be imposed and internet services were suspended. At least 19 people were killed in violence between the Kuki and Naga communities in September this year.
In the first fortnight of October, at least 13 more people lost their lives. Of them, 12 were killed in targeted killings and attacks in Kamjong, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts in the two days ending October 10.
Naga organisations have accused Kuki-Zo groups covered by the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement of involvement. The Naga organisations say these groups, mainly KNF-P and KRA, were involved in at least five deadly attacks between May and September. The groups have denied any involvement, and no official inquiry has yet established their responsibility. Kuki organisations, however, have held the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K responsible.
The NSCN-IM has its own ceasefire agreement with the Centre. The SoO agreement was signed on August 22, 2008, between the Central government, the Manipur government and two Kuki-Zo groups, the Kuki National Organisation and the United People's Front. Its aim was to bring these armed groups to the table for political negotiations. Naga and Meitei groups have now demanded that the SoO agreement be scrapped.
While violence continues in the hills, armed groups are increasing pressure in the Meitei-majority Imphal valley. The banned Kangleipak Communist Party called a 12-hour shutdown on October 15, which brought life to a standstill across the state. Manipur merged with India in 1949, and in memory of that the group observed October 15 as a black day.
