With dialogue stalled and trust eroding, fears are growing that new armed groups could emerge in Manipur, further destabilising the state.
BY Navin Upadhyay
April 14, 2026: More than two months after Yumnam Khemchand Singh assumed office, Manipur’s fragile situation has sharply deteriorated, with fresh ethnic clashes, political unrest, and deepening mistrust pushing the state from bad to worse.
The February 4, 2026 swearing-in of the BJP-led government—following the revocation of President’s Rule—was expected to stabilise the violence-hit state. The new administration, which included Deputy Chief Ministers from Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, was projected as an inclusive political reset. However, for the Kuki-Zo community, it triggered outright rejection rather than hope.
Civil society groups, led by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), had already made their position clear before the government was formed. Citing the January 13 Lungthu/Guwahati Resolution, they directed Kuki-Zo MLAs and Suspension of Operations (SoO) signatories to stay away from any “popular government” in Imphal unless there was a written assurance from the Centre for a Union Territory with a separate legislature.
When Nemcha Kipgen went ahead and joined the government, it was declared a “serious betrayal.” The KZC imposed a social boycott on such MLAs, warning they would face consequences in Kuki-Zo areas. Protests erupted across Churachandpur and other hill districts, alongside demonstrations in New Delhi demanding resignations.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh appears to be making sustained efforts to restore a degree of normalcy in the state. Through outreach visits to sensitive districts, engagement with community leaders, and attempts to revive administrative functioning, the Chief Minister has signalled a willingness to bridge divides. However, his efforts are being complicated by both internal challenges within the BJP as well as external pressures from competing ethnic interests and armed groups, making the path to stability increasingly difficult.
Talks Stalled, Frustration Growing
One of the key drivers of the current unrest is the perceived lack of progress in dialogue between the Centre and Kuki-Zo armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
While SoO representatives held a brief meeting with the Centre’s interlocutor for the Northeast, A.K. Lal, in New Delhi on February 4, the engagement coincided with the peak of political developments in Manipur and yielded no concrete outcome. A follow-up courtesy meeting reportedly took place on March 15 between AK Lal and SoO leader , but there has been little movement since.The meeting was not convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs but took place at the initiative of the SoO groups, who sought to acquaint themselves with their new interlocutor. No substantive progress or discussions emerged from the interaction.
The lack of sustained dialogue has deepened frustration within the Kuki-Zo community, with many losing confidence not only in their leadership but also in the Centre’s intent. Observers warn that prolonged stagnation could weaken the SoO framework itself, potentially leading to the emergence of new armed factions outside the agreement and triggering fresh cycles of violence.
Situation Spirals, New Conflict Lines Emerge
Instead of de-escalation, the situation has worsened significantly. What began as a Meitei–Kuki conflict has now expanded into new ethnic fault lines, particularly between Kuki-Zo groups and Tangkhul Nagas in the hill districts.
The situation is worse in both kamjong and Ukhrul districy where the Tankgkhul Naga militants and NSCN (I-M) have launched repeated attacks on Kuki Villages. The other sides have also regroups and brought in its own militants, creatign flash point thyat could turn into scene of major clasehes any day.
This is one area where the new Manipur government has been widely seen as falling short. In the initial two weeks after violence first erupted in Ukhrul, the state machinery appeared slow to respond. Despite reports of clashes, arson, ambushes, and road blockades across Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Kangpokpi districts, there was little visible action to apprehend those responsible.
Key incidents include the February violence in Litan and subsequent escalations along the Manipur–Myanmar border involving cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah and the Kuki National Army (KNA). Several villages were attacked, homes set ablaze, and civilians injured, severely disrupting connectivity and daily life across the affected regions.
Nemcha Kipgen Appointment Deepens Divide
A major political flashpoint has been the appointment of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister. Her induction has drawn sharp criticism from sections of the Kuki-Zo community, who see it as undermining their collective demand for a separate administration.
Kipgen, who took oath virtually from New Delhi amid protests, is linked to the Kuki National Front (KNF), an armed group under the SoO agreement. Allegations of coercion and intimidation by cadres have further eroded trust and intensified internal divisions.
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CoTU Resignations and Buffer Zone Row
Tensions escalated further in Kangpokpi district after the mass resignation of members of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).
The resignations followed the Chief Minister’s visit to Senapati via Kuki-dominated areas, which CoTU leaders described as a violation of sensitive “buffer zones” maintained since the 2023 violence. The group also criticised the silence of Kuki-Zo leadership, amplifying anger on the ground and triggering wider protests.
Tronglaobi Tragedy and Valley Unrest
The situation worsened further after a deadly attack on April 7 in Bishnupur district, where a projectile struck a civilian home, killing two minors and critically injuring their mother.
The incident sparked widespread protests across the Imphal Valley, leading to clashes with security forces, additional casualties, curfews, and internet shutdowns. Investigations are underway, but tensions remain high.
A State Under Strain
Despite outreach efforts by Yumnam Khemchand Singh, including visits to affected areas and engagement with community leaders, the government is struggling to contain the crisis.
Multiple fault lines are now active: the unresolved Meitei–Kuki conflict, the Kuki-Zo community’s rejection of the government, distrust over SoO-linked political developments, stalled peace talks, and escalating clashes with Naga groups.
Unless core issues—land disputes, armed group activity, fragile ceasefires, and credible political assurances—are addressed urgently, Manipur risks sliding into deeper instability.
Across communities, there is a growing demand for governance that restores trust and prevents further fragmentation of the state.
