The northeastern Indian state of Manipur has once again found itself at the center of national debate. What began in May 2023 as ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has evolved into one of the most prolonged and painful internal conflicts in recent Indian history. Over 260 people have lost their lives, nearly 60,000 have been displaced and trust between communities has eroded at an alarming rate.

The violence has persisted despite the imposition of the President's Rule in February 2025, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. While security deployments have increased and efforts have been made to restore order, fresh protests in January and February 2026 signal that underlying grievances remain unresolved. At the heart of the crisis lies a complex mix of land rights, identity politics, historical grievances and competing visions of autonomy. The Meitei community, which largely inhabits the Imphal Valley, forms a demographic majority in the state. The Kuki-Zo tribes, predominantly Christian and residing in the hill districts such as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, consider themselves historically........

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