A tumultuous history marked by violence and political upheaval continues to define Manipur, with recent events highlighting the region’s persistent struggles over identity, governance, and peace amidst rising tensions and international scrutiny.
In the complex tapestry of Indian politics, few regions exemplify volatility as profoundly as Manipur. Its tumultuous history encapsulates a spectrum of political audacity and ethnic tension, evidenced by incidents ranging from the outrageous conduct of legislators in the early 1990s to the ethnic violence that engulfed the State in 2023. Manipur’s narrative is one marked by conflict, identity struggles, and the relentless quest for peace.
The astonishing political act in the 1990s, where a senior legislator desecrated the Speaker’s chair, served as a stark indicator of the extreme lengths to which political actors would go in their quest for power. Such actions illuminating the fraught political landscape foreshadowed later crises, including the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. Triggered by a controversial Manipur High Court ruling requesting the State Government to evaluate the Meitei community’s potential inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list, the unrest quickly spiralled into ethnic conflict. This sparked a confrontation between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal people of the surrounding hills, culminating in widespread violence and destruction.
The grim statistics tell a harrowing tale: by November 2024, at least 258 lives were lost, 60,000 individuals displaced, and thousands injured. Unofficial figures suggest that reality might be even grimmer, with nearly 4,800 homes burned and significant religious sites vandalised. The government’s response was marked by an alarming ineffectiveness; security forces, despite being heavily present, often stood by as chaos unfolded, revealing a troubling failure of governance.
Moreover, allegations of bias against the Central Security forces further exacerbated tensions. Reports indicated that the Assam Rifles appeared to favour Kuki militants, intensifying the already charged atmosphere. Criticism of then-Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, became a minefield; critics were swiftly branded as anti-Meitei, leading to a chilling environment for dissent. Journalists and political opponents faced threats and violence for questioning the government’s actions, illustrating a precarious intersection of power, ethnicity, and violence.
By early 2025, the crisis had escalated to a point where it attracted international scrutiny. The Indian government, unable to sidestep the turmoil, imposed direct rule in February 2025, following Singh’s resignation. Ajay Bhalla was appointed as the Governor, with aspirations to restore order reminiscent of Japan’s Meiji restoration, a daunting task considering the deep-seated issues.
Bhalla’s strategy initially revolved around disarmament, with calls for the surrender of illegal weapons that had proliferated during the violence. Some groups complied, depositing firearms, yet significant challenges in disarming Kuki militants persisted. In May 2025, amid a fragile truce, the government prepared for the Shirui Lily Festival, a state-sanctioned event expected to symbolise renewal. The festival’s planning seemed optimistic, but underlying tensions threatened to overshadow any semblance of celebration.
An incident that would ignite considerable outrage occurred on May 20, 2025, when a bus transporting journalists to the inaugural festivities was stopped by the 4th Mahar Regiment. The soldiers ordered the removal of the “MANIPUR STATE TRANSPORT” signage, perceived as an affront to the state’s identity and a bid to appease Kuki separatists. This act of apparent disrespect prompted an unprecedented backlash from the media, culminating in protests and a statewide strike called by the Co-ordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).
Leaders within the Meitei community expressed profound indignation over the army’s actions, seeing it as a direct challenge to Manipur’s cultural integrity. Public demonstrations saw Meitei women confronting military vehicles, underscoring a heightened collective sentiment of resistance. Political parties, including the Congress Legislative Party, condemned the governance under Bhalla, accusing it of inconsistency in upholding Manipur’s integrity while enabling actions that undermined it.
Meanwhile, tensions remained exacerbated by ongoing military actions, such as the recent killing of Kuki fighters near Jiribam, drawing criticism from external observers, including the National Unity Government of Myanmar (in exile), which demanded accountability.
Manipur’s multifaceted struggle, exemplified by its ongoing cycle of violence and identity crises, reflects a deeply rooted sense of disquiet among its populace. As the delicate Shirui Lily, emblematic of hope, blooms amidst the region’s stunning landscape, it serves as a poignant reminder of the unhealed wounds and the ongoing quest for peace and identity within this beleaguered State.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Manipur_Integrity_Issue.Manipur_unyielding_struggle_for_identity_and_peace_By_Dipak_Kurmi – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-imposes-direct-rule-its-restive-manipur-state-2025-02-13/ – In February 2025, the Indian government imposed direct rule on Manipur after the Chief Minister’s resignation amid escalating ethnic violence. The unrest, which began in May 2023, had resulted in at least 250 deaths and thousands displaced. The violence was partly attributed to an influx of refugees from Myanmar, with the federal government appointing Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the new Governor to restore order.
- https://apnews.com/article/9153549db3852e7f34a3ef70b7bdb349 – Ethnic clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur have led to severe displacement and humanitarian crises. Since May 2023, over 250 people have died, and at least 60,000 have been displaced, resulting in the state being divided into two ethnically controlled zones. Displaced individuals live in squalid relief camps with little hope of returning home due to safety concerns.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/india/fighters-myanmar-civil-war-aggravate-bitter-ethnic-conflict-india-2024-12-20/ – Militant groups from Myanmar’s civil war have returned to Manipur, exacerbating the 19-month ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. This has resulted in around 260 deaths and displaced over 60,000 people. The returning fighters, armed with sophisticated weapons, have intensified the violence, prompting the Indian federal government to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers to the region.
- https://apnews.com/article/ae9b0f553a7f631971f5453e3f58e17d – Parts of Manipur state experienced a shutdown in response to the killing of 10 people by paramilitary soldiers. The deaths occurred near the district town of Jiribam, leading to protests and a 45-minute gunfight. The violence has been ongoing since May 2023, resulting in around 250 deaths and 60,000 displacements, with ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities at the core.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/india/chief-minister-indias-manipur-state-apologises-ethnic-unrest-2024-12-31/ – The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, apologised for the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The unrest has resulted in at least 250 deaths and displaced 60,000 people. Singh faced accusations of being complicit in the violence, which he denied, and expressed hope for normalcy to return in the new year.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%932025_Manipur_violence – The 2023–2025 Manipur violence refers to the ethnic conflict that erupted on 3 May 2023 between the Meitei people and the Kuki-Zo tribal community. As of November 2024, 258 people have been killed, and 60,000 displaced. The violence was sparked by a court order suggesting Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, leading to protests and clashes between the two groups.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents a detailed account of events up to May 2025, including the imposition of direct rule in February 2025 and the incident on May 20, 2025. The inclusion of recent events suggests a high freshness score. However, the article’s publication date is not provided, making it challenging to assess its timeliness accurately. The absence of a publication date is a significant concern. Additionally, the article includes references to external sources, indicating that it may be a republished opinion piece. This practice is common for opinion articles, which often have a high freshness score due to their timely commentary on current events. Nonetheless, the lack of a clear publication date and the potential for republishing across various platforms without proper attribution raise questions about the article’s originality and freshness. The absence of a publication date is a significant concern.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from various individuals and organizations. However, without specific citations or references, it’s challenging to verify the authenticity and originality of these quotes. The lack of clear attribution raises concerns about the reliability and originality of the quoted material. The absence of specific citations or references makes it difficult to assess the originality and authenticity of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article is hosted on e-pao.net, a regional news platform. While it provides detailed accounts of events, the lack of clear authorship and publication date makes it difficult to assess the credibility and reliability of the source. The absence of clear authorship and publication date raises questions about the credibility and reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The events described in the article align with known incidents in Manipur up to May 2025, including the imposition of direct rule and the May 20, 2025 incident. However, the lack of specific citations or references makes it challenging to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the information presented. The absence of specific citations or references makes it difficult to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the information presented.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides a detailed account of events in Manipur up to May 2025, including recent developments. However, the absence of a publication date, clear authorship, and specific citations raises concerns about its freshness, originality, and reliability. The lack of clear attribution and verifiable sources makes it challenging to assess the credibility of the information presented. Given these factors, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with a medium confidence level.
