Three years after the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, the state continues to grapple with deep divisions, with no convictions secured, a delayed inquiry report, and renewed demands from Kuki groups for political separation.
Over 260 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 displaced since the conflict erupted between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, effectively dividing the state into hostile zones. Despite the scale of violence, not a single conviction has been recorded so far.
The Centre-appointed Commission of Inquiry, set up on June 4, 2023, to investigate the causes and handling of the violence, has missed multiple deadlines. Initially given six months to submit its report, the panel has received four extensions, with the latest deadline now set for May 20, 2026.
The commission also saw a change in leadership after its chairman, Justice Ajai Lamba, resigned in February this year. He was replaced by former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, who took charge in March.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly flagged lapses in the handling of the violence, including delays in registering FIRs in cases of sexual assault, and ordered select cases to be handed over to the CBI.
Even as the inquiry remains inconclusive, Kuki groups have intensified calls for a separate administrative arrangement. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) observed the third anniversary of the violence as “Separation Day”, reiterating its demand for a Union Territory.
In a statement, KIM said the past three years had been marked by “untold suffering”, alleging discrimination, institutional bias, and selective enforcement of law. It said thousands from the Kuki-Zo community continue to face displacement, trauma, and loss of livelihood.
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“The present arrangement is neither sustainable nor just,” the organisation said, asserting that the community could no longer live under conditions that “deny dignity, justice and constitutional safeguards”.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) also criticised the authorities, alleging a “complete collapse of the rule of law” and pointing to “no arrests and zero prosecutions” in several major cases.
The rights body demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe and called for immediate arrests, prosecution of those involved in violence, and public disclosure of evidence. It also sought action against armed groups and rehabilitation measures for displaced persons living in relief camps.
The conflict has also exposed serious lapses in security. Thousands of weapons were looted from police armouries during the initial phase of violence, many of which remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about continued militarisation along ethnic lines.
While the state has seen attempts at dialogue under the current administration, sporadic violence continues. Incidents in April, including civilian deaths and clashes involving security forces, underscored the fragility of the situation.
With the inquiry yet to deliver findings and communities remaining deeply polarised, the demand for justice and accountability continues to grow, even as the prospect of reconciliation appears distant.
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