Manipur ethnic violence

Ethnic violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, has resulted in at least 306 deaths and left 49 people missing. While the conflict initially centered on Meitei inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category, recent escalations in 2026 have expanded to include clashes between Naga and Kuki-Zo tribal communities in the state’s hill districts.

The unrest has caused significant displacement, with over 60,000 people forced from their homes. Following a period of President’s rule that began in February 2025, a new BJP-led government was formed in February 2026.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Manipur Cabinet has approved a special humanitarian measure providing Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to the next of kin of the 49 missing persons. This decision relaxes standard legal norms that typically require seven years to presume a person dead. The state also approved enhanced ex-gratia payments for Army and Central Armed Police Force personnel killed or injured during operations in the region.