Violence Erupts Again in Manipur: One Killed, Dozens Injured as Ethnic Tensions Flare
According to security sources, the violence broke out along the Imphal-Dimapur highway when members of the Kuki-Zo community clashed with security forces.
IMPHAL- Manipur state plagued by ethnic strife for nearly two years, witnessed a fresh wave of violence on Saturday, March 8, resulting in at least one fatality and over 40 injuries. The clashes, centered around the contentious issue of free movement between the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-controlled hill regions, have reignited tensions just as the state was preparing to resume normalcy after 20 months of conflict.
According to security sources, the violence broke out along the Imphal-Dimapur highway when members of the Kuki-Zo community clashed with security forces. The confrontation left one civilian dead and injured 27 security personnel, with additional reports indicating over 40 people, including civilians, were affected.
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One protester was killed in clashes between Kuki demonstrators and security forces in different parts of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Lalgouthang Singsit. The 30-year-old received bullet injuries during the clashes at Keithelmanbi and died on the way to hospital, police said.
At least 40 protesters sustained different types of injuries during the clashes with security forces at Gamgiphai, Motbung and Keithelmanbi, police said, adding they have been admitted to the nearby public health centre for treatment.
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The situation worsened when protesters set fire to private vehicles and attempted to stop a state transport bus traveling from Imphal to Senapati district. Protesters also blocked NH-2 and burned tyres to obstruct movement of government vehicles.
The state government had hoped that lifting restrictions would signal a step toward peace following the ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023 between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo communities.
That conflict, had sparked by a court order recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meiteis, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
However, Saturday’s violence indicates deep-seated mistrust persists. Kuki groups, announcing a shutdown in parts of the state, have accused the Meitei-led government of favoring one community, while Meitei groups continue to demand equal rights and access to tribal lands.\
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In response to the clashes, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal Valley and Bishnupur district and suspended internet services in several areas to curb the spread of misinformation.
The deployment of additional paramilitary forces has been reported, with Army helicopters conducting surveillance to monitor the volatile situation. The state’s police have yet to release an official statement on the casualty figures or the precise cause of the unrest.
The latest flare-up comes one month after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9, 2025, amid mounting pressure over his handling of the crisis. His resignation led to the imposition of President’s Rule, with the central government stepping in to stabilize the state.
Analysts warn that without a comprehensive dialogue addressing land rights, ethnic quotas, and mutual grievances, Manipur risks sliding deeper into chaos. The central government has yet to comment on Saturday’s incidents, but pressure is mounting for a decisive intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
As the situation unfolds, residents brace for more uncertainty in a state already fractured along ethnic lines, with the Imphal Valley and surrounding hills remaining separated by heavily guarded buffer zones. For now, the prospect of peace in Manipur appears as distant as ever.
