Manipur Violence: Timeline of Ethnic Conflict in India

Inquiry deadline three weeks away; no report yet Pending

The Commission of Inquiry into the 2023 violence must report to the Centre “not later than” 20 November 2026 (gazette notification). As of 29 October 2026, no submission of its report had been reported, and no further extension had been announced. Human Rights Watch noted in September that the panel had not yet reported (HRW).

The commission’s findings should not be presumed. It examines causes, the sequence of events and possible lapses by authorities; it does not try individuals, which is the job of the criminal courts. This entry will be updated after 20 November.

Ceasefire pact with Kuki-Zo groups confirmed lapsed Government

The tripartite Suspension of Operations pact between the Centre, the state and Kuki-Zo armed groups, renegotiated for a year on 4 September 2025, expired on 4 September 2026. State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on 23 October that it had not been renewed (SATP analysis via Eurasia Review; Organiser).

On the same day police searched the Sinai designated camp in Kangpokpi district. Of 18 people found there, only one was verified as a registered cadre; the other 17 were detained for questioning (Siasat). Meitei and Naga civil-society groups have sought the pact’s abrogation; Kuki-Zo groups say camp weapons are regularly inspected and accounted for.

Three Meitei villagers killed while collecting firewood Violence

Gunmen fired on a group of Meitei villagers cutting and carrying firewood, killing three and injuring four, police told Reuters (Reuters via ThePrint). Protesters placed two of the bodies outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Imphal. Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh held a security review.

Meitei groups blamed Kuki militants; Kuki groups denied it. Police arrested three suspected Kuki militants in Imphal West on 20 October and said the arrests were linked to the killings (Eurasia Review). The arrests are not a finding of guilt. On 20 October a Kuki civilian was shot dead while collecting bamboo shoots in Kangpokpi district; village bodies blamed Naga armed groups, which was not independently verified.

Naga–Kuki-Zo clashes spread in Kamjong and Ukhrul Violence

A 42-year-old woman, a mother of five, was shot dead in Chassad village in Kamjong district, setting off clashes in which a 22-year-old man was killed and ten houses were torched. A motorist was shot dead near Chepu Yaolen in Ukhrul. PTI reported that more than 40 people had been killed since the Naga–Kuki-Zo violence began in February 2026 (PTI via ThePrint).

State tells Assembly: 306 killed, 49 missing Government

Answering a question in the Assembly, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said: “Since the violence started on May 3, 2023, 306 people have died, and 49 people are still missing as of August 31, 2026” (ThePrint, PTI).

This is the most recent official cumulative figure. It is higher than the “more than 260” that many reports still use, and lower than independent tallies that include militants and security personnel.

HRW reports renewed Naga–Kuki-Zo violence Violence

Human Rights Watch reported at least seven people killed in late August and 34 deaths since the current Naga–Kuki-Zo violence began in February (HRW). It traced the escalation to an altercation in Ukhrul in February and to the killing of three Kuki church leaders after a May meeting with Naga pastors. In May, armed groups on both sides reportedly abducted 48 people; six Naga hostages were found dead a day after 14 Kuki hostages were released.

Inquiry commission deadline extended to 20 November Inquiry

The Home Ministry issued a gazette notification giving the commission until 20 November 2026 (gazette PDF; The Indian Express). Justice Ajai Lamba, the original chairman, had resigned in February 2026; former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan took over from 1 March 2026. The members remain retired IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar.

Two children killed in their home in Bishnupur; protests turn deadly Violence

A projectile struck a family’s home while they slept, killing two children; The Indian Express reported them as a four-year-old boy and his newborn sister, while other reports gave their ages as five years and five months. Their mother was critically injured (The Indian Express). In the protests that followed, officials said two civilians were killed when a crowd tried to storm a CRPF camp at Gelmol; later reports put the protest toll at three (Scroll).

Residents blamed Kuki militants firing from the hills; Kuki organisations denied it. The National Investigation Agency took over the case. Responsibility had not been established by a court as of October 2026.

President’s Rule revoked; Y. Khemchand Singh becomes Chief Minister Government

President’s Rule ended after almost a year, and a BJP-led government under Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in the same day (ThePrint). The Assembly’s term runs to 2027. For how central rule works and how courts have reviewed it, see the Uttarakhand President’s Rule case of 2016.

First trial begins: charges framed in the B Phainom case Court

The Special CBI Court framed charges against six men in the case of three women who were paraded naked and sexually assaulted at B Phainom village, Kangpokpi district, on 4 May 2023; the father and brother of one of the women were murdered (The Indian Express). Charges include murder, gang rape, rape during communal or sectarian violence and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. All six pleaded not guilty.

It was the first CBI-investigated case from the violence to reach trial. A video of two of the women surfaced in July 2023. The court also noted that three people named by the victims had not been charged.

President’s Rule imposed after Biren Singh resigns Government

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on 9 February 2025, after nearly two years of criticism over the handling of the violence. President’s Rule was imposed on 13 February and the Assembly placed in suspended animation rather than dissolved.

Jiribam: ten killed in a clash, six Meitei hostages found dead Violence

Police said ten armed men were killed after attacking a CRPF camp and a police station at Borobekra on 11 November. Kuki-Zo groups disputed that they were militants, calling them village volunteers. The same day six members of a Meitei family, three women and three children, were abducted. Their bodies were recovered from rivers from 15 November (Deccan Herald), setting off protests in Imphal. The NIA took over the cases.

High Court deletes its contested ST direction Court

On a review petition, the High Court deleted paragraph 17(iii) of its March 2023 order, which had directed the state to consider including Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list (LiveLaw). The judge cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in State of Maharashtra v. Milind that courts cannot alter the ST list.

Viral video; Supreme Court steps in Court

On 20 July the Court took suo motu notice of a video of two women being paraded naked, saying it was “deeply disturbed” (LiveLaw). On 7 August it set up a committee of three former women High Court judges led by Justice Gita Mittal to oversee relief and rehabilitation, and appointed former IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor investigations (Morung Express). On 25 August it moved trials of CBI cases to Guwahati.

Centre sets up the Commission of Inquiry Inquiry

The Home Ministry appointed a three-member commission headed by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajai Lamba, with Himanshu Shekhar Das and Aloka Prabhakar, to inquire into the causes and spread of the violence from 3 May 2023 and any lapses by authorities or individuals (PIB). It was asked to report within six months.

Supreme Court hears first petitions on relief and the ST order Court

On 8 May a bench led by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Centre and state to step up security, relief and rehabilitation, and to protect places of worship (Outlook). On 17 May the CJI called the High Court’s ST direction “factually incorrect”, but did not stay it because an appeal was pending before a division bench (LiveLaw).

Violence erupts after the Tribal Solidarity March Violence

Tribal groups held a Tribal Solidarity March in the hill districts against the Meitei demand for ST status. Clashes broke out near Torbung and spread across the state within hours, with homes, churches, temples and other buildings burned (India Today). Curfew was imposed, mobile internet was suspended and the Army and Assam Rifles were deployed. Within days, tens of thousands of people had fled to relief camps or across the valley–hill divide.

Tension in Churachandpur before the march Background

A crowd set fire to a gym that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was due to open in Churachandpur, amid protests over eviction drives in reserved and protected forests and the demolition of churches the state said were unauthorised. A shutdown was called and the visit was cancelled.

High Court tells the state to consider ST status for Meiteis Background

Hearing a petition by the Meitei Tribe Union, the High Court directed the state to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list and to send a recommendation to the Centre. Tribal organisations said ST status for Meiteis, who make up about 53% of the population, would threaten their land protections and reserved jobs and seats. Meitei groups had sought recognition since at least 2012.