Caste violence between the indigenous Metei and indigenous Kuki communities in Manipur began on May 3, 2023. Since then, violence has flared up at various times.
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The violence that erupted after two children were killed in a bomb attack in Manipur's Bishnupur district on April 7 has intensified. Three people were killed in the said incident. Since then, local media reports have reported that violent incidents have been continuing in various parts of the state.
The violent movement has intensified again after the murder of three Christian leaders of the tribal community on May 13, 2026. The Kuki community was attacked while returning to Kangpokpi district from a Christian conference held in Churachandpur.
Caste violence broke out in Manipur between the indigenous Metei and the indigenous Kuki community on May 3, 2023. Earlier, in April 2023, the High Court had ordered the government to consider including the Metei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. Then, the indigenous Kuki and Naga communities living in the hilly region started protesting, saying that their land and rights were at risk. The violence that erupted against that backdrop has not stopped even after three years.
Why did the Naga-Kuki relations cool down?
In the initial phase, the Naga and Kuki communities in the hilly region were sometimes seen on the same front due to the demands of the Metei community and dissatisfaction with the state structure. However, recent developments have not only weakened the cooperation between them, but also transformed into mutual distrust and direct confrontation.
The main reason for the tension this time is the clash of territorial claims and security perceptions. Both the Naga and Kuki communities have considered the hilly region as their historical sphere of influence. The issue of land, settlement and movement control in this region, which is connected to the Myanmar border, has repeatedly become a center of controversy.
Along with this, the presence of armed groups across the border and access to weapons have further complicated the conflict. The attack on Naga villages on May 7 claimed to have used weapons such as drones and rocket launchers, which Naga organizations have described as a ‘cross-border military attack’. Such incidents have not only increased fear but also a sense of revenge among the local community.
‘It is a land war between Nagas and Kukis’, says Shivakumar Basnet, former Nepali-speaking Pradhan Panchayat of Manipur, ‘The war between them is for land.’
Meanwhile, local media has reported that more than two dozen people have been killed in the armed conflict between Nagas and Kukis in the last one month. The dead belong to both communities. Naga organizations have been accusing the central government of adopting a soft policy towards Kuki armed groups.
On May 11, Naga civil society organizations jointly submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the government's policy of increasing violence against Kuki armed groups. The United Naga Council, Naga Women's Organization and All Naga Students Association have described the ongoing violence as a 'proxy war' against the Naga community.
They claim that Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) militants are crossing the Indo-Myanmar border and attacking Naga villages including Ukhrul, Kamjong. They allege that houses were burnt and settlements were displaced in the attacks on Zed, Choro, Namli-Wangli and Kaka villages on May 7.
The memorandum claims that a large number of armed groups are entering across the border, citing the use of military-grade weapons such as drones and rocket launchers.
A few days ago, 18 people from the Naga community were kidnapped by the Kukis and 20 people from the Kuki community by the Naga community. Among them were three Nepali speakers. Both sides have released all but 6 of them. Among those who will not be released is Nepali-speaking pastor Manu Tamang.
‘Two Nepali speakers have been released, one has not been released yet’, said former Pradhan Pancha Basnet, ‘We do not know why they were kidnapped.’
According to Basnet, a Nepali-speaking woman was murdered inside her house on May 3. Pushpa Paudyal, 63, of Tisahajare village in Kangkokpi district, was murdered in her house and her money and gold were taken away.
Nepali-speaking people staged sit-ins and demonstrations demanding action against those involved in her murder. However, the identity of those involved in the murder has not been identified yet. ‘Nepali speakers are becoming very insecure,’ Basnet said, ‘anything can happen at any time.’
Attack on Kuki village, 3 dead
Three civilians were killed in an armed attack on a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district of Manipur state, India, on Friday morning. It is said that seven houses were set on fire during the attack and other properties were also damaged.
According to Northeast Today, the attack took place at around 4 am in Loibol village under New Keithelima area. Letkhongam Haokip, Tinmeri Haokip and Jangminlal Haokip were killed in the incident. All three of them are residents of the same village.
After the attack, displaced people Local
The umbrella organization of Kuki-Jo communities, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), has condemned the incident and termed it a ‘brutal attack’ on unarmed civilians. In a statement issued by the organization, it has been accused of attacking the village by armed members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and its affiliate, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-K).
According to KIM, three people were killed in the attack and seven houses were completely destroyed. It has also been claimed that there was extensive damage to the property of civilians.
The organization has demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, arrest the culprits and take legal action. It has also been urged to tighten security in sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, the Imphal-based administration has said that efforts are being made to identify the group involved in the incident. According to The Hindu, the incident took place less than 24 hours after the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) started a march from Ukhrul to Kangpokpi district.
The purpose of the march is to inform the public that six members of the Naga community who were abducted after the killing of three church leaders on May 13 are still missing.
Tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur have been escalating since February. There have been repeated incidents of violence between the two communities in the Litan area of Ukhrul district. In these incidents, people from both sides have been killed and houses have been set on fire.
