Drones, rockets and bombs: What is happening in Manipur?

Imphal, Manipur – The situation in Manipur remains difficult as the state continues to be gripped by escalating violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with six people killed in fresh clashes in Jiribam district on Tuesday.

The ongoing ethnic conflict, which has turned parts of the state into a virtual war zone, shows no sign of abating. Both communities continue to engage in brutal confrontations and retaliatory attacks.

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The latest incident took place in Nungchappi village, located 229 kilometres from the state capital, Imphal. According to police sources, suspected Kuki insurgents launched an attack on the village, killing 63-year-old Yurembam Kulendra Singha. The victim was a resident of the valley-dominant Meitei community. This attack follows the killing of another elderly Meitei man in Moirang town just a day earlier. In that incident, a rocket-propelled grenade, allegedly fired by Kuki insurgents, killed the man while he was offering prayers.

In addition to the killing of Singha, five others were reported dead following a gunfight between armed groups from the Meitei and Kuki communities. These groups, which have formed under the banner of “village defense volunteers,” have been at the forefront of the ongoing violence. The clashes between the two sides have become increasingly frequent and deadly, with both sides reportedly stockpiling weapons and forming militias to protect their respective communities.

Manipur, which has historically seen tensions between its indigenous communities, has been plunged into a state of near-anarchy in recent months. The violence between the Meitei, who predominantly live in the valley, and the Kuki, who inhabit the hill regions, has spiralled out of control, leaving law enforcement agencies struggling to maintain order.

Manipur State Police

The state police have been facing significant challenges in controlling the violence, which flares up unpredictably across different parts of the state. Despite the deployment of central security forces, including paramilitary personnel, the conflict remains largely unchecked. The complex terrain, coupled with the deep-seated ethnic divide, has made it difficult for authorities to restore peace.

The violence has also led to severe humanitarian consequences, with reports of murders, sexual assaults, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians emerging from conflict zones. Women and children have been particularly vulnerable in the ongoing chaos, with many fleeing their homes in search of safety. Temporary relief camps have been set up, but the situation on the ground remains tense and volatile.

In recent months, multiple ceasefires and peace talks have failed to bring any lasting resolution to the conflict. Both the Meitei and Kuki communities accuse each other of instigating the violence, while political and civil society leaders have called for restraint. However, with each passing day, the conflict appears to be escalating further, fueling fears of a full-blown ethnic war.

With no immediate solution in sight, the ethnic violence in Manipur continues to claim lives, deepen divisions, and destabilise the region.

As the situation remains fluid, there is growing apprehension about how long the state can endure this unrelenting cycle of violence and bloodshed. The people of Manipur, caught in the crossfire of ethnic strife, remain desperate for peace in a state that has become a battlefield. Read more such news here.