Ethnic Violence in Manipur Kills 7 Civilians

Author: Aahana Nagwekar

September 10, 2026

HRRC condemns the spike in ethnic violence that has resulted in the death of innocent civilians. The local state government must take action to protect ethnic communities and enforce the rule of law.

[Image Credit: Jakfoto Productions/Flickr]

Over the weekend, Human Rights Watch confirmed revived ethnic violence in Manipur, India over the past two months. In August of 2026, seven people were killed during inter-tribal conflict between the Naga and Kuki-Zo tribal communities. 

This spike in violence results from boiling tensions between the Kukis and the Nagas, which came to a tipping point in February after members of both the Tangkhul Naga and the Kuki-Zo communities were both involved in an alleged assault within the Ukhrul district, in which a verbal altercation among both tribal members turns into physical assault, with persons from both sides throwing stones. Historically, these two tribes have had consistent conflict due to land disputes with no lasting peaceful resolution. 

However, this violence follows a larger pattern. Since May of 2023, clashes between the Hindu Meitei community, the Christian Kuki-Zo communities, and the Christian Naga communities have caused over 260 deaths and displaced over 60,000 people. Militant groups from both communities have burned down homes in villages, taken hostages, engaged in open gunfire, and blocked highways to prevent transportation and movement of goods. 

Currently, the Manipur government has not taken adequate measures to resolve the ongoing violence. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which promised reunion and harmony, has ignored the incidents and failed to protect ethnic communities. The Indian Supreme Court, however, met in early August and asked the Naga and Kuki groups to collaborate on a formal proposal to reopen the national highways blocked by both communities in an effort to keep necessities from reaching civilians. Nevertheless, both communities continue to block other key highways, ensuring that innocent civilians are cut off from basic needs, putting their survival at risk.

Local governments should create stronger legislation to enforce the Supreme Court ruling, as well as install stricter enforcement measures to protect civilians that are repeatedly caught in the crossfire of ethnic violence. 

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Glossary

• Collaborate – to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

• Displacement – the act or process of removing from an office, status, area, or job

• Ethnic Violence – physical conflict between different cultural, linguistic, or racial groups, often driven by political exploitation, scarce resources, or historical grievances

• Intertribal – existing or occurring between tribes

• Militant Groups – armed, non-state organizations that use violence, guerrilla tactics, or terrorism to achieve political, religious, or territorial goals